Preview: India national team coach Stephen Constantine on Friday termed the forthcoming tri-nation series as a ‘stage to try new players’ where India are slated to kick-off their campaign against Mauritius at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday. “We’re playing two games before the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers where I can try out more players. We got one team from the Caribbean region and another from Africa. It’s going to a tough test for us ahead of the Asian Cup qualifier,” he stated during the pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of the series opener against Mauritius. [caption id=“attachment_3950285” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] India football team train ahead of their opening match of tri-nation tournament against Mauritius in Mumbai. Image courtesy: Twitter/@IndianFootball[/caption] India have won 13 of their last 15 matches (including one unofficial friendly match against Bhutan in 2016). “We haven’t played together since June. The ongoing camp and this tournament will help us get into the groove at the right time,” Constantine said. Talking about the U-23 boys contributing at the highest level in the ongoing camp, Constantine said: “We’ve taken 10 boys from the U-23 team and they’re here along with the senior pros. “We have to continue the developmental process to qualify for the Asian Cup regularly, eventually, which would lead us to the World Cup.” Sandesh Jhingan will lead the side against Mauritius in the absence of Bengaluru FC players who have been kept put for their AFC Cup campaign. “Three years back when I came into the team, I was a young boy. During the course of the time, Borges and many a player debuted for the national team. Now, 10 boys from the U-23 side are part of the senior team camp. It only shows that we’re heading in the right direction,” Jhinghan said. Jhinghan, a centre back, praised the defence who have kept five clean sheets in last eight matches. “Off and on the field, I share a strong bonding with Anas which rightly reflects on the pitch. But it’s not only me or Anas, it’s about Pritam, Narayan and off-course Gurpreet. We have respect for each other and we complement each other. We really enjoy playing together and we’ll do so.” The Mumbai Football Arena has always been a happy hunting ground for India. India came back from a one-goal deficit to rout a the-then 114th ranked Puerto Rico in a friendly by a whopping 4-1 margin in September 2016. Then India scripted a 2-0 victory over Nepal in June. With inputs from IANS
Highlights, India vs Mauritius, Tri-nation series, football scores and updates: Hosts clinch victory in tough clash
Catch all the live scores and updates from India’s opening match of the Tri-nation series against Mauritius at the Mumbai Football Arena.
 "Highlights, India vs Mauritius, Tri-nation series, football scores and updates: Hosts clinch victory in tough clash")
It wasn’t a pretty victory but India would be happy to get the winning momentum. They started out on a lacklustre manner by showing more respect than their opponents deserved. The team was all over the place in the first half but after Robin Singh’s goal came at the right time and that changed things. After the break, coach Stephen Constantine did few inspired substitutions and Balwant Singh’s debut goal proved to be the winner.
So that’s all from here, hope you enjoyed our coverage.
That’s the spirit!
.@SandeshJhingan: "The whole team defends together, attacks together – that’s our strength."#BackTheBlue #INDvMRI
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) August 19, 2017
Sunil Chhetri is happy!
Good effort from the lads to get another win in the bag and keep the momentum going. Need to keep building on this. #INDvMRI
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) August 19, 2017
Robin Singh
Feeling good because I’ve never scored in Mumbai before. The effort of boys is commendable, we got the result at the end. It’s always good to keep the winning momentum. I want to score again, the boys work hard and I do the easy job.
Sandesh Jhingan – Captain
Really happy with the win. When we went down, we believed in ourselves to bounce back. It’s strong mentality. It was not the best performance so we will look into it and be ready for the next match against St. Kitts & Nevis.
Nine wins on a row!
9th Successive Win for India!
— Aditya Warty (@AnalystAdi) August 19, 2017
Goals Scored: 23
Goals Conceded: 5
3/3 at Mumbai Football Arena!@fni #Indianfootball #BackTheBlue #INDvMRI
It’s all over!
India beat Mauritius 2-1 to win the first match of the Tri-nation series. They fell behind in the first half but goals from Robin Singh and Balwant Singh did it for India. It was not a comfortable victory but they got the job done.
The crowd loved the goal.
The stadium erupts after @Balwant_Singh17 found the back of the net.
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) August 19, 2017
IND 2-1 MRI #INDvMRI #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/MNsSktcsMA
GOALLLL! India take 2-1 lead
Balwant Singh puts India in front. His first goal for India and what a time to get it. Beautiful flick from Jeje to set him through on goal. India have been much better in the second half
Stat Alert!
STAT: 7 out of the @IndianFootball team's last 9 goals have come in the second half!
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) August 19, 2017
IND 1-1 MRI #INDvMRI #BackTheBlue
Three changes for India
46' Nikhil Poojary replaces @jackichand10 , @Balwant_Singh17 comes in for @robin_singh_23 and @Amrinder_1 for @THESUBRATAPAUL
— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) August 19, 2017
Disappointing!
Disappointed that India managed just 1 Shot on Target in the entire 1st half.
— Aditya Warty (@AnalystAdi) August 19, 2017
Just cannot perform without @chetrisunil11! @fni #INDvMRI
Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor is in the house.
Ranbir Kapoor comes down, hugs @THESUBRATAPAUL at half-time #INDvMRI #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/iZkoBHtA5A
— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) August 19, 2017
Half-time
It wasn’t a great half for India but they showed their class when it mattered the most. Robin Singh made sure he doesn’t miss a terrific through ball from Rowling Borges. The striker took his time and slotted the ball inside the net. The first 45 minutes didn’t go as per plan for India as Mauritius took the lead thanks to some bad defending from the hosts. The goal was a result of a deflection and it became wake up call for the hosts who were unimpressive up until that time. It’s going to be another tough 45 minutes for India as they look to maintain their winning run.
The crowd at the stadium has definitely enjoyed that goal.
The roar when @robin_singh_23 equalises. #INDvMRI #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/tVmsutWGrV
— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) August 19, 2017
GOALLLLLL! ROBIN SINGH LEVELS IT FOR INDIA
What a ball from Rowling Borges to Robin Singh and the striker makes it 1-1. It was a good finish as he was feeling the pressure from a Mauritius defender. Robin maintained his calm and finished it with his left foot.
Tough chance for Sandesh Jhingan.
22' Narayan crosses it in, @SandeshJhingan leaps but can't get the purchase or the accuracy on it. Close! #INDvMRI #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/BNc4CkwLIU
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) August 19, 2017
GOAL!!!
Big setback for India as Mauritius take lead. Scrappy defending from the hosts as Jocelyn’s shot got deflected towards the goal. India allowed the space for Mauritius to take advantage and they have been punished.
Tremendous support for the Indian team. They are making all the right noises.
That’s some support for the @IndianFootball team! ???? #INDvMRI #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/v8F1lELCzU
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) August 19, 2017
Sunil Chhetri is feeling weird!
Captain, leader and legend Sunil Chhetri is missing the game due to Bengaluru FC’s AFC Cup commitment.
This sounds really weird but I'm in front of the television waiting for the India game to begin. Like I said, really weird!
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) August 19, 2017
Here are the starting XI of both the teams
🇮🇳 Starting XI 🆚 Mauritius 🇲🇺 #BackTheBlue #AsianDream #INDvMRI pic.twitter.com/ybAtXPIu9m
— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) August 19, 2017
Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the Tri-nation series in Mumbai Football Arena. India kick off their campaign against Mauritius.
Having won 13 of their last 15 games, Stephen Constantine’s men will look to continue their winning momentum.
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