India, who are already through to the semi-finals, will face their sternest test in the SAFF Championship when they face formidable Kuwait in their last league match here on Tuesday.

With six points from two wins, the same as India, Kuwait have also entered the semi-finals and Tuesday’s match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium will decide the Group A winner.

Pakistan and Nepal face each other in the other match of the day, which has been rendered inconsequential as both sides are already out of contention for the semi-finals after losing their two earlier matches.

India had brushed aside Pakistan 4-0 but had to work hard in their 2-0 win over Nepal. Their defence looks in fine fettle, having managed a clean sheet for a record eight successive matches.

However, the midfield and frontline will have to perform a notch higher against a strong side like Kuwait.

Lallianzuala Chhangte, the mercurial winger, said on Monday that India should face Kuwait with a positive mindset.

“Kuwait is a very good team, and we are aware of that. But we are going to face them with the same positive mindset and will look to win. Like the coach said, the higher or lower ranking does not matter to us as we will approach every match with the same mindset,” said Chhangte.

“The team is gelling really well on and off the field. We have a great bond. The main reason is that we have been able to put into practice what we have been taught during the training.

“We have been working on several things like coming through the wings and giving crosses, and they are coming off really well for us,” he said.

India had struggled for more than an hour to penetrate Nepal’s defence and Kuwait could pose even taller hurdles with a much more organised and experienced defence.

India’s primary weapon for finding goals still remains the talismanic Sunil Chhetri, who struck a hat-trick against Pakistan and then opened the scoring against Nepal.

This is the first time India are facing Kuwait since an international friendly in November 2010.