India’s coach, Igor Stimac, acknowledged Qatar’s supremacy, deeming them “out of our league” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier. Despite Qatar’s stature as reigning Asian champions and holding a 41-spot lead in the FIFA rankings, India had once secured a remarkable 0-0 draw against The Maroons in 2019. However, in 2023, under the dazzling lights of the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India suffered a formidable 3-0 defeat, highlighting the contrasting chapters in their footballing journey.
India remains in second place on the Group A points table after a win and a loss. Later in the day in Dammam, Kuwait and Afghanistan will face off for their second group games. The loss not only halted India’s impressive 15-match unbeaten streak on home soil but also followed their victorious campaign opener with a 1-0 away win against Kuwait last week. The Indian football team opted for five changes in their starting XI for the recent match.
In a surprising move, Stimac opted for five changes, prioritizing solidity over flair to achieve a balance. Amrinder Singh, Subashish Bose, Anirudh Thapa, Udanta Singh, and Lallianzuala Chhangte replaced Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Aakash Mishra, Sahal Abdul Samad, Manvir Singh, and Naorem Mahesh Singh.
In a challenging outing for the Indian football team, Amrinder Singh, standing in for Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, faced immediate pressure as a misdirected pass handed an early opportunity to Qatari forward Almoez Ali. However, the subsequent shot from Akram Afif missed the target, providing a momentary relief for the Indian side.
The Qatari forwards capitalized on defensive vulnerabilities, securing their opening goal just two minutes later. Following a Qatar corner, multiple failed clearances by the Indian team allowed Mustafa Meshaal to fire a low shot into the bottom corner, granting Qatar a 1-0 lead.
Despite Qatar’s subsequent dominance in winning corners, they failed to capitalize on these opportunities, and the scoreline remained unchanged at the conclusion of the first half. India found a foothold in the game after the initial half-hour mark. As the match progressed, the hosts increased the frequency of passes into the box, facilitating scoring opportunities for their forwards, including the seasoned captain Sunil Chhetri.
In the midfield, Lalengmawia Ralte and Udanta Singh exhibited confidence on the ball, playing pivotal roles. Their consistent deliveries into the box created an error from the Qatari defence in the 42nd minute. However, India’s chance to level the score went amiss as Anirudh Thapa failed to convert, shooting wide of the goal.
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Despite a promising end to the first half by India, the hosts were dealt a setback right at the start of the second half. Akram Afif, utilizing his speed to trouble the Indian defense, had his shot saved by Amrinder Singh in the 47th minute. However, Almoez Ali seized the rebound before the goal, extending Qatar’s lead to 2-0.
Qatar dominated the match from that point onward, denying Indian forwards any significant opportunities. The visitors further solidified their lead in the 86th minute with Yusuf Abdurisag’s header, securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory. The remaining period was managed with ease by Qatar, shutting down any potential comeback attempts by the Indian side. Looking ahead, the Indian men’s football team is set to resume qualifiers with home and away fixtures against Afghanistan scheduled for March. Subsequent fixtures include clashes against Kuwait and Qatar in reverse order later in 2024.
The stakes are high, as the top two teams from the group will qualify for the third qualifying round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Additionally, the teams securing these top spots will earn a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, a prestigious tournament set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
The defeat against Qatar serves as a valuable learning experience for India, emphasizing the need to address defensive lapses and capitalize on scoring opportunities. As the team prepares for the upcoming fixtures, they will undoubtedly draw insights from this match to enhance their performance and strive for success on the international stage.
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