India Vs Bayern Munich Preview: Bhaichung Bhutia Prepares For The Final Hurrah

 

India 0 vs 0 Bayern

 

Pre Match
January 10, 2012 6:00 PM IST
Nehru Stadium,Delhi

 

It would be a historic occasion as the legendary Indian striker Bhaichung Bhutia plays his last match for India against the giants of Europe Bayern Munich

 

PROBABLE LINEUPS

INDIA Karanjit Jaspal, Nirmal, Gouramangi, Nabi Ralte, Climax, Lamare, Miranda Jeje, Bhutia

BAYERN MUNICH   Neuer Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm Gustavo,Schweinsteiger Robben,Muller,Ribery Gomez

This match, for the first time ever, will see India's next big thing Jeje Lalpekhlua partner legendary striker Bhaichung Bhutia and in all probability for the last time as well. The midfield is expected to be marshalled by the duo of Climax Lawrence and Rocus Lamare. Nirmal Chhetri and Gouramangi Singh should pair in the centre of defense, while the ever so impressive Syed Rahim Nabi will play at the left back position, with Jaspal Singh fitting in the right. Karanjit is likely to fill in at goal.

Bayern are expected to field their full strength line up, with star striker Mario Gomez playing upfront, and Thomas Muller supporting him from a slightly deeper position. Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery on the either flanks will provide the width, while Bastian Schweinsteiger will be playing as a deep lying play-maker. Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boteng, Philipp Lahm and Rafinha are likely complete the defensive line up,with Manuel Neuer in goal.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This match will mark the final appearance in Indian colours for legendary Indian striker Bhaichung Bhutia. Incidentally,Bayern's distinguished goal-keeper Oliver Kahn also made his last appearance for the Bavarians against Indian club side Mohun Bagan in 2008.

• This is Bayern Munich's 5th visit to India but for the first time they would be playing against the National Team.               

• Mario Gomez, who will be playing in the match, won the Golden boot in last year's Bundesliga season and this year too he is leading the charts with 16 goals.

• Jeje Lalpekhlua has been one of the most prolific scorers for India this year, netting 8 times in 16 appearances.

• Philipp Lahm, the Bayern captain, is the youngest ever player to lead the German National Team to the World Cup. He achieved this feat in 2010 in South Africa.

• The Indian National Team, on the other hand, has never featured in the World Cup. Their biggest achievement so far has been a Gold medal in the 1951 Asian Games and a fourth place finish in the 1956 Olympic Games.

However, India had qualified by default for the 1950 FIFA World Cup finals as a result of the withdrawal of all of their scheduled opponents. But the governing body, after some bizarre turn of events, decided against going to the World Cup, being unable to understand the importance of the event at that time. Reason shown by AIFF was that the cost of travel was too much, although FIFA agreed to bear a major part of the travel expenses, lack of practice time, team selection issues. Formers players have later regretted the decision and they had confessed that they then valued Olympics over the FIFA World cup. 

Field Report

India Bayern

Last Five Matches

India
11-Dec-2011	India 4 - Afghanistan 0	SAFF
09-Dec-2011	Maldives 1 - India 3	SAFF
07-Dec-2011	India 3 - Sri Lanka 0	SAFF
05-Dec-2011	Bhutan 0 - India 5	SAFF
03-Dec-2011	India 1 - Afghanistan 1	SAFF

Bayern
07-Jan-2012	Al Ahly 1 - Bayern 2	FR
20-Dec-2011	VfL Bochum 1 - Bayern 2	GERC
17-Dec-2011	Bayern 3 - FC Köln 0	GER1
11-Dec-2011	VfB Stuttgart 1 - Bayern 2	GER1
08-Dec-2011	Manchester City 2 - Bayern 0	UCL