Football crew captain Sunil Chhetri together with teammates throughout his final match in opposition to Kuwait within the FIFA Qualifier on the Salt Lake Stadium at Kolkata on June 6, 2024.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
The influential Sunil Chhetri’s absence will likely be a tough void to fill because the Indian soccer crew enters a testing transition section with an important FIFA World Cup qualifying match in opposition to heavyweights Qatar in Doha on June 11.
The 39-year-old Chhetri referred to as time on his wonderful worldwide profession by taking part in in final week’s fixture in opposition to Kuwait in Kolkata, which resulted in a goal-less draw because the crew failed to offer him a becoming farewell.
Chhetri ended with 94 objectives in 151 matches, having led the nation with aplomb for greater than a decade.
The Indian crew will likely be led by the 32-year-old first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who has thus far appeared in 72 internationals and is essentially the most skilled participant within the 23-member squad after Chhetri’s retirement.
An acid check awaits India as they run into two-time Asian champions Qatar on the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, figuring out properly {that a} defeat will finish their marketing campaign and sprint all hopes of securing a maiden entry into the third spherical of the World Cup Qualifiers.
India stay within the second spot with 5 factors and a purpose distinction of -3. Afghanistan, who additionally performed out a 0-0 draw with Qatar of their final outing in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, are in third spot with a purpose distinction of -10, the stalemate making the job rather more tough for Igor Stimac’s wards.
Qatar, who’ve already certified for the third spherical as group-toppers, have named a largely youthful squad, with 21 out of their 29 gamers under the age of 24.
“We have watched the Afghanistan versus Qatar game and will work on the attacking transition, with a hope to start scoring goals from the chances we create,” stated Stimac on arriving right here.
India had their first observe in Doha on Sunday night and are having the official coaching session on Monday on the match venue.
For the Blue Tigers, a result’s a should. If they lose in opposition to Qatar, they are going to be eradicated from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers third spherical.
They will then be doing battle within the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers third spherical matches for a spot on the 2027 event in Saudi Arabia.
However, if India beat Qatar, they are going to be in pole place to make the World Cup Qualifiers third spherical and a direct spot on the Asian Cup due to their much-superior purpose distinction over Afghanistan.
If India draw in opposition to Qatar, they may qualify for the third spherical provided that the match between Kuwait and Afghanistan, which can kick off in Kuwait City two hours after India’s match, additionally ends in a draw.
In that state of affairs, India will end second within the group with six factors, the identical as Afghanistan, however with a greater purpose distinction.
Kuwait are on the backside of the desk with 4 factors however with Qatar already by means of to the third spherical, all the opposite three groups stay in competition for the second and ultimate berth from Group A.
For over a decade, one query that has dogged Indian soccer is, “Who, after Sunil Chhetri?” The crew is but to discover a deadly striker to succeed him.
Rahim Ali struggled in its place within the earlier match and lacked scientific ending expertise. The likes of Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh and David Lalhlansanga comprise India’s ahead line however they’re but to make an announcement upfront.
The fancied Qatar facet will look to take advantage of wherever the India crew is discovered wanting, making it extraordinarily essential for defenders Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary and Rahul Bheke to be on their toes always.
In the midfield, the likes of Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco and Lallianzuala Chhangte will must be artistic with their passing and clever with motion off the ball.
Match begins at 9.15PM IST.
Source: www.thehindu.com
