India Seeks Insight From 2019 Stalemate Against Qatar In 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
India will look to build on their historic goalless draw with Asian champions Qatar four years ago when they play the same opponents in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday in a 2026 FIFA World Cup second round qualifier. India, who gained confidence after their November 16 away victory over Kuwait, will attempt to put up a strong fight against Qatar, even though the well-liked visiting team will be the clear favourites from the outset. On September 10, 2019, India shocked the football community by holding Qatar 0-0 in their 2022 World Cup second round qualifiers in Doha by soaking up waves of attacks. After winning the Asia Cup early in 2019, Qatar was playing at a fever pitch at that point.
The legendary captain of India, Sunil Chhetri, was ruled out of that game due to illness, but he will be anxious to display his class in the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday. The hosts should have a lot less scoring opportunities than the visitors.
To stop the raiding Qataris, as he did four years prior, custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who led the squad that evening in Doha in front of a biassed crowd of expatriates, would need to perform at the highest level once more on Tuesday.
The legendary captain of India, Sunil Chhetri, was ruled out of that game due to illness, but he will be anxious to display his class in the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday. The hosts should have a lot less scoring opportunities than the visitors.
To stop the raiding Qataris, as he did four years prior, custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who led the squad that evening in Doha in front of a biassed crowd of expatriates, would need to perform at the highest level once more on Tuesday.
Qatar, ranked 61 in the world, is coming off an 8-1 thumping of Afghanistan in their previous encounter in Doha on November 16. They will be trying to break the record for the most drawn games in 2019 by crushing 102nd-ranked India.
In the rematch between the two teams in the 2022 World Cup qualifying tournament, Qatar prevailed 1-0.
The player to watch out for is star striker Almoez Ali, who scored four goals against Afghanistan the other day and led Qatar in goals scored at the 2019 Asian Cup with nine. He can pose a threat to the Indian defence, which appeared vulnerable without Anwar Ali.
Star forward Almoez Ali, who scored four goals against Afghanistan the other day and led Qatar to victory in the 2019 Asian Cup with nine goals, is someone to keep an eye on because he can pose a threat to the Indian defence, which appeared vulnerable without Anwar Ali.
Sandhu will recall that he and India were fortunate to have Ali denied by the upright in Doha in 2019. The Indian custodian, along with seasoned Sandesh Jhinghan, will have to organise the defence.
Injury prevented head coach Igor Stimac from using both Ali and defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh for the Kuwait encounter, which was a setback for the Croatian tactician’s ambitions.
The player to watch out for is star striker Almoez Ali, who scored four goals against Afghanistan the other day and led Qatar in goals scored at the 2019 Asian Cup with nine. He can pose a threat to the Indian defence, which appeared vulnerable without Anwar Ali.
Sandhu would recall that he and India were fortunate in Doha in 2019 when Ali was turned away by the upright. The Indian custodian, in conjunction with seasoned Sandesh Jhinghan, would need to organise the defence.
Injury prevented Croatian strategist Igor Stimac from using both Ali and defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh in the Kuwait encounter, which was a setback to the Croatian tactician’s plans even though India prevailed.
Ali sustained an ankle injury during Mohun Bagan’s AFC Cup match against Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings last month. In an Indian Super League game against Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters player Jeakson hurt his shoulder. He had successful surgery early this month.
Mainstays in the midfield Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh, who scored India’s lone goal against Kuwait, were in Doha four years ago, and they will want to cause the Qataris problems, especially following their strong performance in Kuwait City.
In the 2019 match, Stimac had only been the head coach of India for a few months, but now, four years later, he believes that a victory over Qatar is “not unfeasible”.
“We have examined Qatar from every aspect and vantage point, and we are fully aware of their strength and speed capabilities. They scored eight goals against Afghanistan to show how flawless their attacking and defensive positions are, according to Stimac.
“We have examined Qatar from all aspects and perspectives, and we are fully aware of their capabilities with regard to strength and speed. They showed off their flawless offensive and defensive positioning by scoring eight goals against Afghanistan, according to Stimac.
Qatar was one of the group’s pre-tournament favourites, so it will be extremely tough. Our hopes are not great, but we are aware that we have an opportunity, and we must seize it.
“The first and bigger part was accomplished by winning against Kuwait, now I want the boys to show their quality against Qatar,” added the coach.
India is grouped with Afghanistan, Qatar, and Kuwait in Group A. The top two players in the group advance to the third stage of the FIFA World Cup qualifying competition.
Additionally, qualification to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be guaranteed for the top two teams from each group.
After defeating Kuwait 1-0, the Blue Tigers have a good chance of making it to the third round of the AFC’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They have never made it that far before.
