India vs Afghanistan: Coach Igor Stimac and Captain Sunil Chhetri aiming for victory in crucial World Cup qualifier match

2024-03-26 11:01:27

26 March 2024, 04:31 PM IST Coach Igor Stimac and Captain Sunil Chhetri | ANI

Guwahati: Going into the match once morest Afghanistan, India have only one goal in front of them. Win and thereby increase your chances of advancing to the next round of 2026 World Cup football qualification. The second leg match once morest Afghanistan will be played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday night at 7 PM. India is second in the points table. A win is essential for India to retain the second position. In Group A, Kuwait poses a significant threat to India. Currently, India has four points and Kuwait has three points. One point for Afghanistan. First-placed Qatar has nine points.

India without purpose

India had drawn a goalless draw in the first leg match once morest Afghanistan in Abah, Saudi Arabia. The main challenge facing India is not scoring goals. In the last five matches, the team is struggling without even a single goal. Captain Sunil Chhetri has been on the upswing but he has been missing the target in the last few matches. Vikram Pratap Singh was partnered by Chhetri in the last match. Mahesh Singh Chhetri may play in the first eleven in Guwahati. Although they have Lalian Suwale Changte, Jackson Singh and Manveer Singh to play in the middle order, the absence of a striker is disappointing for India. The defense of Anwar Ali, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Pujari and the excellence of goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu helped India in the last match.

India and Afghanistan have played 12 matches so far. India won all seven of them. And once in Afghanistan. Four were tied.

Chhetri into history

: If Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri gets to play on Tuesday, it will become a part of history. Chhetri will be playing his 150th match. The All India Football Federation has announced that the star will be felicitated. The tribute will be before the match. This is the first time an Indian player has crossed the milestone of 150 internationals.

stats

Sunil Chhetri

Age- 39

Hometown- Secunderabad, Telangana

Jersey No-11

International competition- 149

International Goal- 93

International Debut- 12 June 2005 vs Pakistan

First goal- June 12, 2005 once morest Pakistan

Clubs-

City Club Delhi, Mohun Bagan, JCT, East Bengal, Dempo Goa, Kansas City, Chirag United, Sporting CP. B (Portugal), Churchill Brothers, Mumbai City

Bengaluru FC

Awards- Arjuna Award (2011), Padma Shri (2019), Khel Ratna (2021)

Nehru Cup – Three (2007, 2009, 2012)

SAFF Championship- (2011, 2015, 2021, 2023)

records

AIFF’s Best Player Award is the most – seven times

More hat-tricks for India – four times

Most goals in SAF Championship- 23 goals

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