Jamil: Pressure will be on India against Singapore, but Jhingan available for competitions

India will have the towering presence of ACE defender Sandesh Jhingan during his AFC Asian qualifications against Singapore next month, said coach Khalid Jamil on Friday.

Jhingan was reduced from a cheekbone operation due to an injury that was sustained during the recent Cafa Nations Cup in Tajikistan, where India ended up a deserving third.

India will be confronted with Singapore in a road at the National Stadium in Kallang on 9 October.

«Yes, he (Jhingan) will be available for those games,» said Jamil organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) during a press meeting.

Jamil expressed full confidence in his team to perform in Crunch competitions, so that the pressure kept away.

«They have performed in the Asian Cup qualifications. I believe in it. And the character they showed, I am sure they will certainly do very well against Singapore,» he said.

«So the pressure will certainly be on us. I can’t work without pressure. So, talk about Sandesh, yes, he will be available for our next game,» he added.

Jamil has added Mumbai City FC Midfender Brandon Fernandes and Northeast United Defender Asheer Akhtar to the List of Probables.

Read | Chhetri returns as Jamil mentions 30 probability for the AFC Asian Cup qualifications from India against Singapore

The Indian team will have a tough task against Singapore, because many of his players may already have appeared in the Singapore Premier League prior to the AFC qualifications.

But Jamil refused to read too much and said that his players will be well prepared for the assignment via the preparation camp from Saturday.

«Yes, it’s a difficult game. But we have to prepare very well and just give our best to get a positive result. We must be prepared for all situations,» he said.

Jamil placed his confidence in the preparatory camp here to keep his departments ready for the two games.

«Depending on the player and the availability of the player, we will see how we can prepare them. We will start tomorrow (the camp). But we have to see it because fewer players will be present tomorrow. So we will discuss and see it,» he noticed.

Jamil was very happy to see that his side won the bronze medal in the Cafa Nations Cup, but wanted to achieve bigger things with the team in the future.

“We only have one plan. We think of the first game (against Singapore), which is important. We think of that game.

«Unity should be between the players. That has been good so far and we have also given the chance to the new players. That is important,» he said.

Jamil also justified the recall of the Talismian striker Sunil Chhetri, who, according to him, was not a reflection of the connection that he has for younger attackers.

«Yes, it is about giving risks to those who are doing well. Speaking of Sunil, he did well last year. So I think this is the right time to give him another chance. And talking about football players from younger than 23, yes, if they are good, we will definitely choose them,» he added.

Read | India falls one place at 134 in the FIFA ranking List despite Cafa Nations Cup Showing

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu had sustained a stunning fine in the 2-1 victory of India over Tadjikistan in the Cafa Nations Cup, and Jamil was chuffed to see his experiment with the experienced custodian who collected the expected results.

«I believe in him. He is a good player and we need his experience. I have seen his performance for a long time. So it’s a pleasure to be his coach,» he said.

Published on September 19, 2025