Crucial Three Months Ahead for Indian Football: Facing Tough Competition and High Expectations

The upcoming three months are crucial for Indian Football as they gear up to face Kuwait, reigning Asian Champions Qatar, and Afghanistan twice in a bid to qualify for the premier International football tournament. Following their disappointing run at the Asian Cup in Qatar, which garnered international attention towards the lack of competent footballers in a country with over a billion people, the team and head coach Igor Stimac have been silent on questions related to the national team.

Stimac remains at the helm with the task of securing full points against Afghanistan and Kuwait. The team will travel to Abha to face Afghanistan in the March window. India’s last victory came against Kuwait in November, marking their first away victory in Asian Cup qualifiers since 2002. However, subsequent losses to top teams like Qatar, Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria have dimmed their performance.

Challenges loom large for India when playing at high altitudes, with the upcoming venue in Afghanistan situated at 2470 meters above sea level. Stimac has adjusted the team’s schedule to acclimate to the conditions better and remains hopeful of seeing improved performances in the future through patient work and process.

Currently, India sits third in their group, with Qatar leading the pack and Kuwait following closely ahead based on goal difference. The top two teams will advance to the final World Cup Qualification round in Asia directly qualifying for 2027.

Previous encounters with Afghanistan have been mixed for India, with the last three matches resulting in two draws and a close win at Salt Lake. India salvaged points in previous fixtures through unlikely goals, showcasing resilience but also the need for improvements in their gameplay.

Afghanistan faces its own challenges, with player protests disrupting the team dynamics and prominent Indian coach Ashley Westwood guiding the national side. India will be facing a depleted Afghanistan team; however, the pressure remains on Stimac and his squad to secure maximum points in the upcoming fixtures.

Both games will be available for streaming on Fancode, with the teams set to face off in Guwahati for India’s home game on March 26. The quest for qualification and redemption continues for Indian Football, with expectations high for a strong showing in the upcoming matches. Stay tuned for more updates on Indian Football!