After a famous 1-0 win against Kuwait, the Blue Tigers take on the Group A favourites Qatar in their opening game at home stadium, Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium. Qatar are the current Asian champions and famously hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
India men's football team will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers campaign with a tough away game against Kuwait at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. India are drawn with Qatar, Kuwait and Afghanistan in the second round of Group A.
Indian men's football team pulled off a 1-0 win over Bangladesh through Sunil Chhetri's late penalty goal but the women's team suffered a 1-2 defeat against Chinese Taipei on Thursday.
After a heavy defeat against China, the Indian team remains alive in the tournament with a narrow 1-0 win over Bangladesh with skipper Sunil Chhetri scoring a goal from the spot.
Indian Football Team's shameful defeat in the first match of Asian Games 2023, China won the match 5-1
Rahul KP was the lone goal-scorer for India as the Men in Blue slumped to a colossal 1-5 loss despite seniors Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan featuring in the starting line-up.
India's premier defender Sandesh Jhingan has been included in the Indian football team that will be participating in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The team now looks more settled after Jhingan's inclusion and will be led by Sunil Chhetri.
AIFF has made as many as 13 changes from the original 22-member squad in the Indian men's football team's revised squad. Sunil Chhetri is the only notable player in India's 17-member side.
The winners of the Durand Cup 2023 and Indian Super League 2022-23 Mohun Bagan SG will take on the debutants Punjab FC on September 23.
India took an early lead with a goal from Naorem Mahesh and were impressive throughout the game but a late 80' minute goal from Iraq took the game to extra penalties.
Indian captain Sunil Chhetri is not featuring in the team for the King's Cup 2023 alongside Amrinder Singh and Subashish Bose.
"We very much understand that this Asian Games is outside the FIFA window, and you are not obliged to release the players. But we all have the responsibility towards the country to make India proud," AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran said.
Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan and Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu are the three senior players in the squad. The men's football event at the Asian Games has been an Under-23 event but each team is allowed to pick three players over 23 years.
Indian men's football team is slotted in Group A with hosts China, Bangladesh and Myanmar while the Women's team will face Chinese Taipei and Thailand in Group B fixtures.
"Keeping in mind their latest performances in recent times, the Ministry decided to grant the relaxation," Anurag Thakur tweeted.
Sunil Chhetri's India bagged three multi-nation tournaments - Tri nation series, Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Cup recently. The team will face a litmus test in the Asian Cup 2024.
Team India won the SAFF Championship for the ninth time as Sunil Chhetri and Co. prevailed in the end 5-4 in the penalties against Kuwait after the scoreline stood at 1-1 following 120 minutes of intense football.
India defeated Kuwait in penalty shootout to win the thrilling final of SAFF Championship on Tuesday (July 4). Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a stunning save in the sudden death as massive celebrations began in the Indian camp.
Sunil Chhetri has played for Bengaluru FC since its inception in 2013 and has featured in over 250 matches so far scoring 116 goals.
"He (Stimac) also used abusive language against the math officials while he was going off the field (after being shown red card)," SAFF General Secretary General Anwarul Haq revealed.
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