The Indian Under-23 team is set to play Kyrgystan tonight while Oman face the United Arab Emirates earlier today. India’s chances of qualifying for the main event look somewhat bleak but cannot be ruled out.
As luck would have it, all countries in Group E are on the same points with equal statistics. The standings have been made on the basis of various factors including disciplinary points. India will have to rely on the outcome of both matches to seal a berth in the Championship.
| Rank | Nation | MP | W | D | L | Pts | GF | GA | GD |
| 1 | UAE | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | Oman | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | India | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | Kyrgyz Republic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Breaking down the Disciplinary points
Yellow card = 1 point
Red card as a result of two Yellow cards = 3 points
Direct Red card = 3 points
Yellow card followed by direct Red card = 4 points
How can India’s U23 team Qualify?
The first scenario is assuming a win for India.
If India and Oman win their respective games, India will go through directly.
If India win against the Kyrgyz and Oman draw with UAE, India go through directly.
If the UAE win then India finish second (H2H records) and they will have to hope to qualify as one of the best 4 second-placed teams.
The second scenario is assuming that India draw tonight’s match.
If Oman also draw with UAE, the first and second-placed team will be decided on the basis of:
-the highest number of goals scored
-yellow/red cards (India have the most number of cards in the group)
-drawing of lots.
If Oman win then India will play a tie-breaker with Kyrgyzstan to decide who finishes second in the group. If India finish second, they will have to hope to qualify as one of the best 4 second-placed teams.
Match Facts
Venue – Fujairah Stadium, Fujairah, UAE
Time – 22:00 IST
Telecast – Indian Football Team’s official Social Media.
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