The Indian men’s football team has one last chance to buy tickets for next year’s AFC Asian Cup. All they have to do is leave Afghanistan, Cambodia and Hong Kong behind. For many it is a matter of formality, but for those who have been following the fortunes of the national team in their last few trips, things are rarely that simple.
India finished third in their combined FIFA World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers and hence the need to play in the third round in the continental qualifiers, with only the top team being guaranteed a place and only five of the six groups being runners-up.
The Blue Tigers begin their campaign against Cambodia from today, which will be followed by a match against Afghanistan All India matches will begin at 8.30 pm on June 11 and in Hong Kong on June 14.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India Coach Igor Stimac warns against complacency, asks fans for support
India have faced Afghanistan twice in the last round, drawing 1-1 on both occasions. As far as Hong Kong is concerned, India last faced them in 2010 and lost. In their last outing against Cambodia, India defeated them in 2017.
India have been in remarkably poor form in their matches since beating Nepal in the final of the SAFF Championships last year, building on the ‘all-important’ qualifiers that went on to lose against Bahrain, Belarus and Jordan.
Igor Stimac’s men have been training in Bellary, Kolkata and Doha for the past few months. In fact, India did not do well even in home practice matches, losing 1–2 to Indian Super League side ATK Mohun Bagan and this season’s Santosh Trophy runners-up Bengal drew 1–1 but defeated an I-League side. 2-1 from All Stars.
Asian Cup a step towards dream of playing World Cup: Sandesh Jhingan
Things have not been going well off the field as well. Supreme Court’s intervention in removing Praful Patel and setting up a three-member committee of administrators (CoA), comprising former chiefs Election Commissioner SY Qureshi, Justice Anil Dave and former Indian football team captain Bhaskar Ganguly have been asked to look after the day-to-day affairs of the football board. Earlier the Government of India Play The ministry slashed AIFF’s funding by around 85 per cent as grants under the Annual Calendar of Training and Competitions (ACTC) fell from Rs 30 crore for the financial year 2019-20 to Rs 10 crore in 2020-21 and onwards 5 became Rs. crore in 2021-22.
Confusion over tickets for the showpiece event has also left fans in a tizzy, as the initial offer of just 5,000 tickets was raised to 50,000 after pleas from Indian footballers, including Sunil Chhetri.
Indian head coach Igor Stimac also escaped to the effect that fans can turn out to be in huge numbers not only for his side but also for the opposition.
“We are expecting great support from the stands, we are expecting the football fans to come in large numbers, to propel the boys and become extra strength for their feet, for their heart, for their mentality and give us these opportunities. Will help win three games. Stimac said in a pre-match press conference.
Senior defender Sandesh Jhingan also echoed his coach’s sentiment, saying, “We had the same dream as a child – playing in front of packed stadiums. The more fans that come in, the better. It gives us extra inspiration. As it is always said that playing in a packed stadium is something that we should cherish and be very happy and grateful that everyone is showing interest and coming. ,
Indian men’s football team sweats it out in practice session ahead of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
Even though Stimac is not ready to take Cambodia lightly in his opener, the Southeast Asian nation has Japanese superstar Keisuke Honda in his think-tank.
Cambodia coach Hirose Ryu said at a pre-match press conference that his team was “motivated to play away from home”.
“We think we had a good preparation in Cambodia so hopefully we will have a good result,” Ryu said.
“It doesn’t matter where we are playing and we will give our best,” Ryu said.
Cambodia defender Sou Wiesel said he was “confident, and despite India being a highly ranked rival, we have great confidence in his abilities.”
Afghanistan will start the Group D Asian Cup action against Hong Kong at 4.30 pm, followed by India’s clash with Cambodia at 8.30 pm.
With a lot happening in Indian football on and off the field, a good performance in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers will give fans a reason to rejoice.
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