Indian Football Team’s AFC Asian Cup campaign seems to be slipping away from their hold. Kicking their campaign off on January 13, Sunil Chhetri & co were aiming to start the new year with positive results. However, their hopes have taken a backseat with yet another injury concern. Mohun Bagan Super Giant midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad is likely to miss the continental piece, along with already injured Anwar Ali and Ashhique Kuruniyan.
India’s participation in the upcoming Asian Cup marks their second consecutive entry into the tournament after 2019. This is thge first time that the Indian football team will compete in back-to-back Asian Cup editions. Igor Stimac and co are drawn into a group alongside Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria for the first round. However, their preparations have been marred with injuries and Sahal Abdul Samad adds to it.
During Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s ISL 2023-24 game against Odisha FC, a timely Ahmed Jahouh tackle was enough to worsen the injury woes of the Blue Tigers. While Sahal limped off the pitch, the extent of his injury is yet to be known. Sahal joins three other key members of Igor Stimac’s squad in the list of absentees- defender Anwar Ali, midfield Jeakson Singh and forward Ashique Kuruniyan.
An ankle injury has been keeping Anwar Ali away as the Mohun Bagan defender continues to prepare for a comeback. Jeakson had recently undergone a surgery for his shoulder, while tearing his ACL, Ashique Kuruniyan has also undergone surgery. While, Ali and Jeakson’s absence has already brought in woes for Stimac, Sahal’s absence would leave him deepened in worries.
With the Kalinga Super Cup happening concurrently with the AFC Asian Cup 2023, many ISL teams may be reluctant to release their players. That is especially with an AFC Champions League Round 2 Preliminary stage berth on the line. Thus resulting in the same protracted debate between Clubs and Igor Stimac.
Indian Football Team AFC Asian Cup 2023 Matches (All Timings In IST)
- January 13: India vs Australia at 5pm
- January 18: India vs Uzbekistan at 8pm
- January 23: India vs Syria at 5pm
