The India Football Team were handed a 2-0 loss by Australia in the opening game of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. With this loss India now lies at the bottom of the Group B standings. But all hope is not lost. In fact the Blue Tigers have a strong chance in making it to the knockouts of the tournament.
The task is fairly straightforward for Sunil Chhetri and Co. India will need favorable results in their upcoming matches to make it to the knockouts of the tournament. If India go on to win both their remaining matches against Uzbekistan and Syria, then India will make it to the top 2 of the group and qualify automatically.
However, should India fail to get 2 wins, it is not over for Igor Stimac and his boys. Depending on the position and the standings of the group, India has fairly good chance to qualify to the next stage.
How can India qualify for AFC Asian Cup 2023 Knockouts?
- If India manages to win their remaining 2 matches, India will get 6 points from 3 games. This means India will be placed either on the top or the second spot in the group. This essentially means India automatically qualifies for the next stage.
- Secondly, India manages 1 win and 1 draw. This means India gets 4 points in their kitty and will be a strong contender to the 2nd spot in the group.
- If India manages 1 win and a loss, this also is good news for the Men in Blue. Favorable results can prompt India to finish 2nd in the group.
- Lastly, even if India manages 2 draws in the next 2 matches, India still has a chance. If they finish on 2 points and is placed third of the group there is still chance. India can make it by being amongst the four top 3rd placed teams. 2 teams from 6 groups automatically qualify. As a result the last 4 for knockouts is selected amongst the top 3rd placed teams.
AFC Asian Cup Group B points table
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Points |
| Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Syria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| India | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
