In a pivotal clash set to unfold on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Damac Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia, the Indian Senior Men’s Football Team is gearing up to take on Afghanistan. This encounter marks a crucial juncture in India’s journey towards the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 campaign.

With aspirations reaching new heights, the Blue Tigers are on the cusp of scripting a significant chapter in post-independence Indian football history. The quest for three crucial points against Afghanistan holds immense significance as it could propel India closer to a longstanding dream—the elusive third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, an achievement yet to be realized since their inaugural participation in 1985.

Following a somewhat disheartening outing at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, where the team managed to secure just three points, the Indian squad aims to leverage their current momentum. Their journey in the World Cup Qualifiers saw them secure a hard-fought victory against Kuwait (1-0) but succumb to a defeat against Qatar (0-3) in the opening matchdays last November.

Looking ahead, India’s immediate focus is on bagging all six points from the upcoming fixtures against Afghanistan. However, head coach Igor Stimac remains grounded, emphasizing the team’s philosophy of taking one match at a time. Stimac highlighted the importance of each game in boosting self-confidence and rankings, while keeping sight of the ultimate goal—qualification for Round 3.

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The upcoming match against Afghanistan holds added significance as it marks the fourth official encounter between the two teams in five years. The previous meetings in the World Cup Qualifiers in 2019 and 2021 ended in draws (1-1 each), while India clinched a victory (2-1) during the Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2022.

Ahead of the clash, the Blue Tigers have undergone rigorous training sessions in Abha, acclimatizing themselves to the challenging conditions of the mountainous city situated 2,470 meters above sea level. Stimac’s counterpart, Afghanistan head coach Ashley Westwood, brings a wealth of experience in Indian football, having coached prominent clubs like Bengaluru FC, ATK, and RoundGlass Punjab FC. Westwood took charge of the Afghanistan national team in November 2023, gearing up for the qualifiers.

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India’s captain, Sunil Chhetri, who previously played under Westwood at Bengaluru FC, acknowledged Afghanistan’s cohesive gameplay under Westwood’s guidance. Chhetri emphasized the need for India to bounce back after the Asian Cup setback, anticipating a tough but crucial match against Afghanistan.

The match between India and Afghanistan will be broadcast on DD Sports and streamed on FanCode, drawing attention from football enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the outcome of this pivotal clash in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers journey.

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