In a shocking turn of events, India’s national football team, the Blue Tigers, has experienced a significant setback in their international standing after a dismal performance in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. The aftermath of the campaign sees India plummet to a disappointing 117th position in the FIFA rankings, marking their lowest point since 2017.
The Blue Tigers’ AFC Asian Cup journey was marred by an unprecedented series of defeats, with the team failing to secure a single point, goal, or win throughout the tournament. This woeful performance stands as one of the worst in the history of Indian football.
The downward spiral contrasts sharply with India’s peak in 2017 when they achieved a FIFA ranking of 96. Now, almost 20 ranks below that position, the team faces a challenging road to recovery.
The campaign in Qatar began with a glimmer of hope as India showcased a strong first-half performance against Australia. However, any optimism quickly faded as the Blue Tigers succumbed to a 2-0 defeat with no response. The second match, against Uzbekistan, proved even more humiliating, resulting in a 3-0 defeat and leaving India goalless.
The final blow came in the last group-stage encounter against Syria, where India’s aspirations were shattered with a 1-0 defeat. The team needed a win by a margin of two or more goals and relied on other group outcomes, but their efforts fell short. Syria, needing only a draw to qualify, demonstrated more intent than India, sealing the fate of the Blue Tigers in the tournament.
This disastrous campaign has raised serious questions about the state of Indian football and the challenges the team must now overcome to regain its standing on the international stage. The steep decline in FIFA rankings emphasizes the need for introspection and a strategic approach to address the issues plaguing the national team.