India is gearing up for its fifth appearance at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which is set to kick off in less than a month. The national team landed in Doha on December 30, and the fans are eagerly anticipating an impressive performance from the Blue Tigers in Asia’s premier football tournament. Except, how much chance does the Indian Football Team even have to make it beyond the group stages?
This marks India’s second consecutive qualification for the continental championship, showcasing significant progress since their debut in 1964. The team, under the guidance of head coach Igor Stimac, has displayed consistent improvement in recent years.
Drawn into Group B, India will face tough competition against Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The journey begins with a match against the Socceroos on January 13, followed by a fixture against Uzbekistan on the 18th. The group stage concludes with a crucial match against Syria on the 23rd. The anticipation is high as India looks to make its mark in this prestigious tournament.
Australia holds the highest FIFA ranking in Group B at #29, followed by Uzbekistan at #74 and Syria at #90. India, with a FIFA ranking of 101, is the lowest-ranked team in the group. Securing qualification as group winners or runners-up appears highly challenging for them. Realistically, the Blue Tigers can set their sights on a third-placed finish, offering a glimmer of hope for progression. The top four third-placed teams from the six groups, along with the group winners and runners-up, advance to the round of 16.
India’s historical record against Australia includes three wins and one draw in eight matches, mainly comprising friendlies from the 1930s and 1950s. The only competitive encounter was in the 2011 Asian Cup, resulting in a 4-0 victory for Australia. Against Uzbekistan, India has struggled, facing four defeats out of five, with a lone draw in a 1998 friendly. The record against Syria is relatively better, boasting two wins and a draw in six matches, including a 2-1 friendly win in 2012 and a 1-1 draw in 2019.
Coach Igor Štimac acknowledges the formidable challenge ahead, emphasizing a pragmatic approach. The coach recognizes the tough competition, aiming for a third-place finish. While victory against Syria is conceivable, Australia presents a formidable challenge. If India can secure four points from matches against Uzbekistan and Syria, it significantly enhances their chances of reaching the round-of-16, marking a historic achievement under the current grouping system.
