AFC Asian Cup 2023 Draw: The AFC Asian Cup 2023 group stage draw was announced on Thursday. India finds itself in a tough spot after getting placed in Group B alongside strong opponents Australia, Syria, and Uzbekistan. The draw, held at Katara Opera House in Doha, revealed the path that the Indian national team will have to navigate in their quest for glory. Follow Indian Football LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN.
India has qualified for two consecutive editions of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time ever. The team’s place in the tournament was secured even before their final qualifying match against Hong Kong, following the Philippines’ loss to Palestine.
International referee Yoshimi Yamashita, former footballers Tim Cahill, Hassan Al Haydos, Park Ji-sung, Server Djeparov, and Sun Wen, along with India’s women’s team coach Maymol Rocky were the notable attendees in the draw.
However, Indian football fans expressed their disappointment after India was drawn alongside tough opponents. While few fans looked hopeful of India pulling an upset, many claimed that India will find it tough to win even one game in the tournment.
Check out some reactions:
Ladies and gentlemen, the draw is done! ✅
The Groups are set! ✔️
Let the countdown to #AsianCup2023 begin! pic.twitter.com/UtgH8jgsfd
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) May 11, 2023
there is going to be lot of eyes from top clubs in asia and european clubs,this could be the opportunity for some players#IndianFootball @Hussainovich1
— Vishal (@KitsVishal) May 11, 2023
Why? Why?why??😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
We will require pio players…hey god help us… #IndianFootball #AsianCup2023— Jit Chakraborty (@JitChakrab86120) May 11, 2023
It’s tough but nothing is impossible 💙@IgorStimac hope for the best 🙏#BleedBlue💙 #IndianFootball #Warriors
— Green & Maroon Warriors (@GMW17_Official) May 11, 2023
Initial thoughts kya? Bahar hain. Bluw tigers played well , will be back stronger waale tweets taiyaar rakho .
— Singh Saab (@learning_sikh) May 11, 2023
Not a great luck but you always have to get ready for bigger challenges for greater goals, achievements.
Got a good result against Thailand 🇹🇭 last time. Lost by inches against Bahrain 🇧🇭. #IndianFootball #AFCAsianCup2023 #afcdraw #AsianCup2023 https://t.co/NF3ENsAO7W— Shivam 🇮🇳⚽ (@shivamshail) May 11, 2023
Reflecting on the challenging road ahead, India’s head coach Igor Stimac acknowledged the difficulty of their group in comparison to the previous Asian Cup in 2019. Despite the challenges, Stimac expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion and give their opponents a tough fight. The coach emphasized the importance of thorough preparation and assembling the strongest squad possible for the tournament, which will kick off in January.
“It’s tough. Much tougher than it was for India four years ago, in the Asian Cup 2019, but we’re gonna be there and do our best to give them a good fight,” Igor Stimac, India’s head coach said after the draw.
“It’s about time to prepare well…. And be the strongest possible squad that we can be in January.”
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