The ATKMB defender Sandesh Jhingan is all set to make a move to the top division Croatian club HNK Sibenik. After spending nearly a decade in Indian football, the AIFF Men's player of the year is ready to take on the European challenge. Earlier there were fogs over his future as he had offers from Austria, Croatia and Greece, but now the chances of him ending up in Croatia is much higher.

Also Read: ISL Transfer News: Sandesh Jhingan might leave ATKMB for Europe

According to the Times of India, Sandesh Jhingan has agreed on terms with Croatian top division club HNK Sibenik. The 28-year-old's representative Anuj Kichlu confirmed the same to TOI.

"We have an agreement in place with HNK Sibenik. All efforts are now on to get him to Croatia as soon as possible."

Anuj Kichlu

The ever-dependable Indian defender joined the Mariners last season on a five-year deal. According to Transfermarkt, the deal was worth somewhere around ₹ 10 Crores. However, it was not a routine transfer for Jhingan, rather an unceremonious exit from Kerala Blasters FC as they couldn't agree to terms regarding a Covid-induced pay-cut.

Also Read: Indian football team for the upcoming friendlies

Sandesh's ambition of Europe or trying out a new league is known to everyone as he was heavily linked with Motherwell FC in Scotland and Al-Gharaffa in the Qatar Star League. However, it will be a huge blow to the ATKMB side with the AFC Cup knocking on the door. On the other hand, Jhingan has a favourable clause in his ATKMB contract. To clarify, it would allow him to leave the club if a foreign club opportunity comes knocking at his door.

Head coach Manolo Márquez announces 28-member Blue Tigers travelling squad for Thailand friendly on May 28, 2025. All the 28 players, who are currently a part of the ongoing camp in Kolkata, will travel to Thailand for the FIFA friendly for the June 4 fixture.

With a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on the horizon, the Indian Men's National Football Team is gearing up for a significant test. The squad will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening for their friendly on June 4, at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani at 18:00 IST.

Subsequently, the team will depart for Hong Kong on the next day (June 5) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture.

Kolkata: The Blue Tigers' pre-Thailand training hub

The Blue Tigers' intensive training camp kicked off in Kolkata on May 19. The men in Blue underwent six full days of structured training and gym sessions. These were focused on refining patterns, defensive organisation, attacking transitions, and all other crucial elements for the gameplay.

A highlight of the camp was the inclusion of two practice matches:

• On May 26, the Blue Tigers faced Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, securing a 2-1 victory. (goal scorers: Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan)
• On May 27, they faced North 24 Parganas, securing a 3-0 victory. (goal scorers: Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Udanta Singh Kumam)

Blue Tigers’ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Head Coach: Manolo Márquez

Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali

Assistant Coach: Benito Montalvo

Goalkeeper Coach: Marc Gamon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: José Carlos Barroso

The Blue Tigers are set to meet their Asian neighbours Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on Friday (March 22) at the Damac Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia. A win in the Afghanistan vs India fixture will give three points to the Blue Tigers and take them an inch closer to the third round of the ongoing Qualifiers. India have never made it to the third round of the Qualifiers since their first-ever appearance in the Qualifiers in 1985.

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India are coming into the contest after a disappointing AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 campaign. India were knocked out of the tournament from the group stage after losing to Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in Group B.

When and Where is the Afghanistan vs India match?

Afghanistan's home leg will take place on March 21, 2024 (March 22, 12.30 am IST) in Abha, Saudi Arabia while India's home leg will be played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on March 26, 2024.

When and Where to watch the Afghanistan vs India match in India?

The FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2026 between Afghanistan and India on March 22, 2024, will be streamed live on FanCode. The match will also be broadcast live on DD Sports. The match will kick-start at 12:30 am IST (Friday).

Also Read: Indian football team get ready to face Afghanistan in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 in Saudi

India's squad for the Afghanistan fixture

• Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.

• Defenders: Akash Mishra, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Anwar Ali, Amey Ranawade, Jay Gupta.

• Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Imran Khan.

• Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.

Indian Football team had to suffer their second defeat in 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.

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.

Also Read: India vs Uzbekistan AFC Asian Cup 2024 Highlights | Another disappointment for the Blue Tigers as they suffer a 3-0 loss against the dominant Uzbekistan

How can the Indian Football team qualify for the next round of AFC Asian Cup 2023?

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:

1. Group Winners of 6 groups

2. Group Runners-up of 6 groups

3. 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?

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's defensive performance in the first half was canceled out by Australia as they started their AFC Asian Cup 2024 campaign with a 2-0 win at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday. Jackson Irvine scored in the 50th minute and super-sub Jordan Bos scored his maiden international goal in the 73rd minute get the job done for Australia.

Also Read: AFC Asian Cup 2024: Australia vs India Highlights | India starts their campaign with a disappointing loss after Irvine and Bos score for Australia in their 2-0 victory

The match remained all square till half-time but the Indian defence was tested time and time again. Sandesh Jhingan played a crucial part in keeping the scores level. He also sustained a head injury but kept fighting until the very end.

Indian defensive excellence was the highlight of the first half as everyone expected that Australia will always play with the attacking mindset. Sunil Chhetri was the isolated figure in the Indian setup as the Blue Tigers were seen defending for most of the time.

After the resumption in the second half, Australia looked desperate to get the lead. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu tried to push away Martin Boyle's cross from the right, but the ball fell to the Aussie midfielder, Irvine who controlled it beautifully and then unleashed a perfect finish.

Coach Graham Arnold then brought Jordan Bos in the place of Craig Goodwin and it worked perfectly in favour of Australia. Bos, who usually plays as a left-back was deployed as a left-winger, and he showed his potential. When Riley McGree's cross from the right arrived, he made no mistake to tap it home. He bullied Nikhil Poojary and tucked the ball home within one minute of being subbed on.

India ticked a lot of boxes in the defensive department, keeping a solid mid-block, and, at times, pressing with three players against an opponent with the ball, when out of possession.

India's best chance came in the 16th minute when Poojary beat his marker to provide a beautiful cross for Sunil Chhetri. Chhetri's flying header went just off-target. It could have been a huge moment but unfortunately, it didn't go in.

Stimac's side was rock solid in the first half but couldn't do the same in the second half. India will face Uzbekistan five days later in their second game of the campaign. Meanwhile, Australia would like to continue its run against Syria, on January 18.