Sunil Chhetri-led Indian group is about to tackle considered one of its largest assignments in 2024 within the month of January. The group can be enjoying the AFC Asian Cup, being held in Qatar, after being postponed for a 12 months.
That is anticipated to be a troublesome marketing campaign for India having been drawn into an especially robust group, which has the likes of Australia, Syria and Uzbekistan. India head coach, talking proper earlier than the match, mentioned that India had been rank outsiders within the group an their principal aim was to undergo to the third spherical of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
India Squad for AFC Asian Cup
Talking to PTI on Sunday, 31 December, Stimac mentioned that each one three oppositions had been extraordinarily sturdy and the group closest to India’s rating (Syria) had been tough in nature.
“Clearly, we’re rank outsiders in our group. Uzbekistan is without doubt one of the darkish horses and a improbable group, their gamers’ physicality may trigger issues,” Stimac informed PTI in an interview.
“Australia are enjoying on the highest degree of soccer and everyone knows what they’re able to… they’re common at World Cups and can largely clear the group stage there,” Stimac additional added.
India landed in Qatar’s capital on Saturday for the match a lot later than the opposite groups who’re taking part within the match. The identical occurred with the Indian group in the course of the Asian Video games 2023 as properly after their flight obtained delayed. India nevertheless, put in a courageous present however had been knocked out from the group stage. Talking concerning the preparation within the present match, Stimac mentioned that the Indian group wanted to be secure.
“This group is far stronger than the final Asian Cup. A very powerful factor for us is to have an excellent efficiency and be certain that we stay secure and in form whereas enjoying. I’m not placing any stress on gamers about outcomes,” the pinnacle coach mentioned.
“We have to discover stability, we are going to attempt to play fearless soccer however the groups we play in opposition to. I don’t thoughts the ultimate outcomes. Our ultimate aim is to qualify for the third spherical of World Cup qualifiers,” concluded the coach.
Whereas this can be India’s fifth look within the AFC Asian Cup, the Blue Tigers have by no means made it previous the group stage after ending runners-up in 1964, which was performed in a round-robin format.
India will start their marketing campaign in opposition to Australia on January 13 adopted by matches in opposition to Uzbekistan on January 18 and Syria on January 23.
