AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: 2023 AFC Asian Cup Live Updates – Indian men’s football team on Tuesday qualified for the Asian Cup Finals, despite their last qualification game against Hong Kong yet to be played. This confirmation comes after Palestine defeated Philippines in a group B match in Ulaanbaatar. Follow AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers live updates, 2023 AFC Asian Cup Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
The result meant that the Palestinians have directly qualified for the 24-team finals finishing group toppers, while the second-placed Philippines, with four points, were eliminated despite finishing second.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: IT’S OFFICIAL! India qualify for 2023 AFC Asian Cup before playing last qualification game against Hong Kong
Only the winners of the six qualifying groups are sure to advance to the tournament proper, where they will be joined by the five best second-placed teams in respective groups. Meanwhile, top five of the six second-placed teams will go through.
India, who are second behind Hong Kong (six points) on goal difference, have qualified ahead of their final round group D clash. This is for the first time India have qualified for the Asian Cup in two successive editions, having made the group league exit in the 2019 edition.
Overall, India have qualified for the continental showpiece for the fifth time — 1964, 1984, 2011, 2019 and now in 2023.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: IT’S OFFICIAL! India qualify for 2023 AFC Asian Cup before playing last qualification game against Hong Kong
As for their performance so far in the qualifiers, the Blue Tigers have been flawless as they have won both of their first couple of matches. In the match first, India defeated Cambodia by a 2-0 margin, courtesy of a brace from Sunil Chhetri.
The second match against Afghanistan was not as easy, as Anoush Dastgir’s men gave Igor Stimac’s boys a run for their money. However, Sunil Chhetri and Sahal Abdul Samad’s goal helped them win the game 2-1. Despite having already qualified for the main competition, India will look to top the group by beating Hong Kong.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: IT’S OFFICIAL! India qualify for 2023 AFC Asian Cup before playing last qualification game against Hong Kong
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