Captain Taison Singh and Gurkirat Singh scored a goal each in both the halves to help India beat Kuwait 2-1 in their last qualification match. But they could not qualify for next year's AFC U20 Asian Cup. India finished third in Group H ahead of Kuwait. Australia topped and Iraq came second. The third-place finish in Group H was not good enough to qualify for the next year's AFC U20 Asian Cup.
The top 10 teams in the group and the five best runner-up teams have been placed in the tournament. Uzbekistan has got direct entry as hosts. India was defeated 4-2 by Iraq and 4-1 by Australia. The AFC U20 Asian Cup will start from 1 to 18 March 2023.
In the match against Kuwait, Taison Singh and Gurkirat scored for India and Saleh Almehtab pulled one back for Kuwait. India started off aggressively and attacked Kuwait's goal in the very first minute. Himanshu Jangra's shot, however, hit the crossbar.
Taison gave India the lead in the eighth minute. Kuwait quickly retaliated, but Indian defenders kept it tied. India had a one-goal lead till the break. After an hour passed, Bipin handed Gurkirat a brilliant cross, but his header was stopped. With 20 minutes left in the hooter, Kuwait captain Almehtab scored the equalizer. However, Kuwait's happiness lasted only for three minutes and Gurkirat scored a goal to give India victory.
After a stunning show at the AFC Asian Cup 2023, Qatar and Jordan are all set to face each other in the quest for glory on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Jordan defeated the mighty South Korean in the first semi-final to qualify for their first-ever AFC Asian Cup final while home team Qatar went past Iran to be in their successive final after winning the title back in 2019.
But, do you know, once both the teams used to be ranked below the Indian Football team in the FIFA Rankings?
Yes, in 2018, both Jordan and Qatar were ranked lower than India. As per the FIFA Men's World Rankings dated 7 June 2018, Jordan were ranked 110, Qatar 98 and India 97. However, things have changed now, and we need to understand why Indian football has lagged.
Let's take a closer look at the factors that have contributed to India's slow progress in football.
Number of matches played
Firstly, the number of matches played by Jordan and Qatar is enormous compared to India. Since the start of 2018, Jordan have played a total of 88 games, and Qatar played 93 games in this period. In contrast, India have only managed to play 64 games. This shows how the governing bodies of both Qatar and Jordan's National Football teams have managed to give their teams a chance to play against tough teams and get better along the way.
India have struggled to find stirkers along side Sunil Chhetri Image | AIFF
To win a football match the one must thing is to find the nets between the opponent's goal sticks. And, India have been guilty of not finding enough good strikers in that period who could make a great partnership with Sunil Chhetri. The lack of Indian strikers in the Indian Super League, the best league in the country has been a reason for that as well.
If you take the example, in the 9 seasons of ISL till now, none of the Indian strikers have been able to come out as the top scorer of the season. On the other hand, in Jordan Pro League's last ten seasons, four times a Jordanian player came out as the top scorer of the season. In the Qatar Stars League, two times a Qatari player came out as the top scorer of the season. Overall in both the leagues in Qatar and Jordan, you would see players from their own country in the top list of goal scorers in every season.
League Structures
Among the three leagues, only ISL do not follow relegation process in the league structure. Image | ISL
Between the Indian Super League, Jordanian Pro League and Qatar Stars League, only the Indian Super League do not follow the relegation process in their league structure. Indian Super League follow only the promotion structure while the other leagues follow both the relegation and promotion process which encourages more competition and better results.
Governing bodies
Nita Ambani is the Chairperson of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). Image | Goal.com
Although the Jordanian Pro League and Qatar Stars League are run by their football associations named Jordan Football Association and Qatar Football Association respectively, the Indian top-tier football league have a different system. The Indian Super League is administered by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).
Sadly AIFF can not take any major decision while FSDL, which is run by a company named Reliance, take the majority of decisions as the commercial partner. Now, when the top governing body of Indian Football has to go through FSDL to make decisions, it is quite evident that they take the second seat when comes to making major decisions for the league.
Preparation time
While Indian head coach Igor Stimac has been very vocal about having camps before major tournaments, the AIFF has not been able to give them that. The Indian team had to play the Asian Games and AFC Asian Cup 2023 without any practice games ahead of the tournaments while teams like Jordan and Qatar even faced each other to prepare well before the tournament. Qatar played two friendlies while Jordan played three friendlies ahead of the tournament.
It has been quite like this for the Indian National Football team for long where the AIFF was not been able to provide longer times to the coaching staff and the team to prepare well before any major tournament which made it hard for them to find ways to fight against better teams on the pitch.
In conclusion, we can admit that not only teams like Jordan and Qatar have outdone AIFF and Indian Football team in terms of everything, we have only AIFF and the football structure in India to blame for the slow progress of football in India. And, we do not even know when it will change the gear.
Indian Football team had to suffer their second defeatin the AFC Asian Cup 2023 against Uzbekistan in Qatar. After getting heartbroken by Australia in the first match of Group B, India were outplayed by a better-ranked Uzbekistan by 0-3 on Thursday. However, even after two back-to-back defeats, the Indian Football team can qualify for the next round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and we will tell you how.
Uzbekistan players celebrating their goal against India in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar.
Three goals in the first half of the India vs Uzbekistan match from Abbosbek Fayzullayev, Igor Sergeyev and Sherzod Nasrullayev were good enough to push India to the bottom of Group B with zero points in two games. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan with four points now have bettered their chances of qualifying for the next round. Not only that, if they can beat Australia in their last game, they will qualify as the group-topper from Group B.
How can the Indian Football team qualify for the next round of AFC Asian Cup 2023?
Here is how the India Football team can qualify for the knockouts of AFC Asian Cup 2023. Image | AIFF
Although the Blue Tigers' chance to qualify for the next round of the AFC Asian Cup is very low, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for them.
In Group B of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Tournament, Australia are the only team that have won all of their games. Uzbekistan won one and drew one against Syria, while Syria lost one game and drew one. On the other hand, India have lost all of their games in the tournament so far.
So, how can an Indian football team qualify for the next round despite losing all of their games so far? The answer lies in the AFC Asian Cup rules.
Which teams will advance to the next round from the group stage in AFC Asian Cup 2023?
Here are the teams which will advance to the next round from the group stages in the AFC Asian Cup 2023:
Group Winners of 6 groups
Group Runners-up of 6 groups
4 best third-placed teams from the group stage
The tournament started with four teams in six groups and in the round of 16, twelve teams will qualify from the round 1/group stage as the winners and runners-up of their respective groups. Meanwhile, the rest four places will be filled by the four best third-placed teams from the entire group stage.
So, how can India qualify for the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup 2023?
A frustrated Sunil Chhetri in the game against Uzbekistan in AFC Asian Cup 2023. Image | AIFF
India's fate in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup will be in their hands when they face Syria on Tuesday. The Indian team need to secure three crucial points in this match to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed finishers from the group stage. So, it will be a must win game for India when they take on Syria on Tuesday.
India will take on mighty Australia in their fifth AFC Asian Cup in Qatar at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha, on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Australia come into the AFC Asian Cup as one of the tournament favourites having won the competition in 2015 while this is the first time the Blue Tigers have qualified for AFC Asian Cup in back-to-back editions. As the Indian men's football team prepares for the India vs Australia AFC Asian Cup 2024, here are all the details you need to know.
Have India faced Australia before this match in AFC Asian Cup?
Indian national men's football team have faced Australia before in AFC Asian Cup. India lost to Australia by 4-0 on 10 Jan, 2011 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar. Tim Cahill scored a brace for the Socceroos.
Which other teams are there in India's group in AFC Asian Cup 2024?
In Group B, India is cluubed alongside Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria.
Indian Sports Calendar January 2024: From AFC Asian Cup to ICC U-19 Men's WC, these are the biggest sports events in January
From ICC U-19 Men's World Cup in cricket to Women's Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in hockey, Indian players will be seen in many tournaments in January 2024.
The year 2024 is going to be very busy for Indian players. The month of January is very important in view of the AFC Asian Cup to be held from January 10. From ICC U-19 Men's World Cup in cricket to Women's Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in hockey, Indian players will be seen in many tournaments. Here's a rundown of all the events in Indian sports calendar January 2024 in which the Indian athletes are likely to participate.
Indian football has been growing rapidly in the last few years and the Sunil Chhetri-led side will enter the 2024 calendar year with an incredible performance, immense support and improvement in the year 2023. Indian Football Team schedule will resume with the AFC Asian Cup and World Cup Qualifiers and is looking ahead for a defining 2024 footballing year.
Indian Football Team schedule for AFC Asian Cup and World Cup Qualifiers in 2024. Image- The Indian Express
Notably, the year holds significance for the Indian National football team following their historic three-title triumph in 2023. This exceptional feat not only brought home silverware but also created enduring memories, highlighting the sport's growing influence and promising future in India.
Indian Football Team schedule in 2024
AFC Asian Cup
India vs Australia - January 13, 5:00 PM
India vs Uzbekistan - January 18, 8:00 PM
India vs Syria - January 23, 5:00 PM
India are geared up for the AFC Asian Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in Doha from January 12. This marks India's second consecutive participation in the continental competition after the 2019 edition.
India will face Australia in the AFC Asian Cup on January 13. The Blue Tigers have been drawn in Group B along with Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria. After this, India will face Uzbekistan on 18 January and Syria on 23 January.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
India vs Afghanistan - March 21
India vs Afghanistan - March 26
India vs Kuwait - June 6
India vs Qatar - June 11
Keeping in mind the biggest mission of Indian football, the Blue Tigers will resume their conquest for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the month of March. The AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers will also take place in the same month. India will face Afghanistan in two respective home and away matches on March 21 and March 26. Travel for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will resume in June with qualifiers against Kuwait on June 6 and powerful Qatar on June 11.
The new season of Indian football will resume from the month of July with the Durand Cup and ISL as Indian football looks forward to a decisive 2024 football year.
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