Big Kuwait test for India

TWO wins and six goals without a reply! It has been smooth sailing for India in the ongoing SAFF Championships here. But the Blue Tigers will face their toughest test of the tournament so far when they face Kuwait in their final group game, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, on Tuesday.

- VISHNU PRASAD

Kuwait is one of the many anomalies that one often comes across in world football. Ranked 143rd in the world, they should ideally belong to a different class than 101stranked India. But a history of being repeatedly banned by FIFA and the consequent exiles from international football-has meant that Kuwait's rankings are not a reflection of the team's true capabilities. They were suspended by FIFA on grounds of government interference in 2007, 2008 and 2015, the latter ban lasting two full years.