Many countries are currently participating in FIFA World Cup qualifiers. India is third in Asia’s Group A with three points after winning one of their first two group games. Qatar, who are the former Asian champions, are leading the group with six points while Afghanistan are fourth.
India: Boosted Squad
Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh’s return to India’s national football team will boost their winning chances as they play against Afghanistan on Thursday. The two players have been inactive for a long period due to injuries. India, also called the Blue Tigers, are set to beat the weakened Afghanistan side as Anwar is an efficient center-back while Jeakson is a pacy midfielder.
India Beats Kuwait
The Blue Tigers beat Kuwait 1-0 in an away game. The victory increased Igor Stimac’s players’ morale as they advanced to the World Cup qualifying stage. This is the team’s first time to reach the cycle despite being ranked 117th in the world. Still, it lost 0-3 to Qatar in Bhubaneswar after their victory in Kuwait City.
The India vs Afghanistan Rivalry
The two nations clashed in their first match in 1949 and their rivalry has continued over the years, despite Afghanistan leaving the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in 2016. They have met in the Asian Cup qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers, and continental tournaments. But India has won in most of their meet-ups.
Even so, beating Afghanistan isn’t a walk in the park as they don’t back down until the last minute. Sunil Chhetri, India’s 39-year-old soccer veteran, is one of the players who understand the Afghans well. He will lead the Blue Tigers’ together with Manvir Singh, who helped them beat Kuwait.
Chhetri has a great record against Afghanistan since he has netted four times in their eight encounters. He converted a free kick in 2022 in a tough match in Kolkata. Nevertheless, Chhetri recently revealed that the Afghans have improved their game since their first clash. This is partly because some of the players joined foreign teams that have helped them hone their dribbling and attacking skills.
India: What’s At Stake for Stimac?
The Blue Tigers need to win their next two matches against Afghanistan to collect nine points. Also, Qatar’s two wins against Kuwait will help India rise to the second position in Group A. Stimac will largely rely on Chhetri’s performance on the pitch in tomorrow’s match. Still, Anwar and Jeakson will boost his squad.
Jeakson has represented India in 17 games since 2022 including last year’s King’s Cup and in the 2022 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Some of Afghanistan’s top players will miss the lineup due to an ongoing standoff with the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF). However, India needs to be weary of Balal Arezou, Omid Musawi, and Zohib Islam Amiri.
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