Doha [Qatar], The last match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2027 preliminary joint qualifier round two is a make or break encounter for India, who will face Asian champions Qatar away from home. Tuesday, with a goal that could change the course of Indian football history.
In the past, India had never been able to make it to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. Their hopes are still alive this time, but turning them into reality may be no less complicated than the quick solution of a Rubik's Cube.
While India's qualification campaign for the World Cup has been disappointing so far, the 1-0 win in Kuwait gives them plenty of hope ahead of draws against Afghanistan (0-0 away) and Kuwait (0-0 at home).According to an All India Football Federation (AIFF) press release, losses against Qatar (0-3 at home) and Afghanistan (1-2 at home) have posed a tough challenge for them.
While they are still second in Group A with five points from as many matches, they will now have to ensure a result against the defending champions of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, and hope for a favorable scoreline in the match between Kuwait and Afghanistan later on. Will happen. Day.
If they get a draw against their hosts, the Blue Tigers will hope to do the same in the game between Kuwait and Afghanistan. However, the equation will become easier if India beats Qatar, although the task of achieving that feat is not primary.India head coach Igor Stimac is banking on the mentality he has instilled in his players to win the game against Qatar. He said, "Over the last five years, we have created hope within the team that was never there before. I am proud of the boys for how confident they are when they come out on the pitch."
"I tell them they just have to enjoy the game, be proud of their country and take advantage of the opportunities that will make 1.4 billion people happy. That's what it's all about for us for 90 minutes tomorrow."And if necessary, we are ready to die on the field."
India midfielder Brandon Fernandes echoed his gaffer's words and stressed the importance of hard work to achieve the desired results.
"We know how important this game is for us, so every player will fight for the country. We are here to represent the country, and we will go out there as a team and give our best. This 11-vs. 11 tomorrow, and anything is possible in football, we have to work hard, and if we do that, we can get something out of it in the end,” Brandon said.However, there is room for hope. Qatar, who have already topped Group A with 13 points from five matches, have announced a young squad. The names of Hassan Al-Haydos and forward Akram Afif, who retired from international football in March, are not included in it.
Afghanistan's stalemate against the Maroons will surely inspire the Indians to fight back against their hosts on June 11, although the Blue Tigers have an aim of their own - without Sunil scoring a goal against their hosts at the same stage of the World Cup qualifiers in 2019 Draw without. Chhetri.
For India, this match will mark the beginning of a new era where Chhetri will not be a part of their plans.The former Blue Tigers charismatic striker and captain bid farewell to his 19-year-long international career after the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait in Kolkata last week. ,
However, Stimac avoided discussing much about the former Indian captain, choosing to focus on the team rather than any individual.
"We are not thinking about it (Chhetri's absence). We have played many matches without him in the last five years and we have shown that we can play in a composed manner. We have other leaders in the team who now have needed.“To move forward,” he said.
Stimac said, "Of course, Sunil has some great qualities – his personality, leadership skills, quality of football, but I'm not going to go back on that. It's about the team, not about any individual."
The biggest question in everyone's mind is who will replace the iconic number 11?
When Igor Stimac was asked about this, he jokingly hinted at a possible solution to the problem on the eve of the Kuwait match. While he answered that question with his own counter question - "Who says you have to play with a striker?" - It remains to be seen how the Blue Tigers approach this equation.
In the past, India had never been able to make it to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. Their hopes are still alive this time, but turning them into reality may be no less complicated than the quick solution of a Rubik's Cube.
While India's qualification campaign for the World Cup has been disappointing so far, the 1-0 win in Kuwait gives them plenty of hope ahead of draws against Afghanistan (0-0 away) and Kuwait (0-0 at home).According to an All India Football Federation (AIFF) press release, losses against Qatar (0-3 at home) and Afghanistan (1-2 at home) have posed a tough challenge for them.
While they are still second in Group A with five points from as many matches, they will now have to ensure a result against the defending champions of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, and hope for a favorable scoreline in the match between Kuwait and Afghanistan later on. Will happen. Day.
If they get a draw against their hosts, the Blue Tigers will hope to do the same in the game between Kuwait and Afghanistan. However, the equation will become easier if India beats Qatar, although the task of achieving that feat is not primary.India head coach Igor Stimac is banking on the mentality he has instilled in his players to win the game against Qatar. He said, "Over the last five years, we have created hope within the team that was never there before. I am proud of the boys for how confident they are when they come out on the pitch."
"I tell them they just have to enjoy the game, be proud of their country and take advantage of the opportunities that will make 1.4 billion people happy. That's what it's all about for us for 90 minutes tomorrow."And if necessary, we are ready to die on the field."
India midfielder Brandon Fernandes echoed his gaffer's words and stressed the importance of hard work to achieve the desired results.
"We know how important this game is for us, so every player will fight for the country. We are here to represent the country, and we will go out there as a team and give our best. This 11-vs. 11 tomorrow, and anything is possible in football, we have to work hard, and if we do that, we can get something out of it in the end,” Brandon said.However, there is room for hope. Qatar, who have already topped Group A with 13 points from five matches, have announced a young squad. The names of Hassan Al-Haydos and forward Akram Afif, who retired from international football in March, are not included in it.
Afghanistan's stalemate against the Maroons will surely inspire the Indians to fight back against their hosts on June 11, although the Blue Tigers have an aim of their own - without Sunil scoring a goal against their hosts at the same stage of the World Cup qualifiers in 2019 Draw without. Chhetri.
For India, this match will mark the beginning of a new era where Chhetri will not be a part of their plans.The former Blue Tigers charismatic striker and captain bid farewell to his 19-year-long international career after the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait in Kolkata last week. ,
However, Stimac avoided discussing much about the former Indian captain, choosing to focus on the team rather than any individual.
"We are not thinking about it (Chhetri's absence). We have played many matches without him in the last five years and we have shown that we can play in a composed manner. We have other leaders in the team who now have needed.“To move forward,” he said.
Stimac said, "Of course, Sunil has some great qualities – his personality, leadership skills, quality of football, but I'm not going to go back on that. It's about the team, not about any individual."
The biggest question in everyone's mind is who will replace the iconic number 11?
When Igor Stimac was asked about this, he jokingly hinted at a possible solution to the problem on the eve of the Kuwait match. While he answered that question with his own counter question - "Who says you have to play with a striker?" - It remains to be seen how the Blue Tigers approach this equation.
