The Indian Football Team are set to take on Kuwait in a crucial-do-die encounter as they aim to qualify for the third round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The match, set to be played at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan will also be India captain Sunil Chhetri’s last-ever game in the national jersey. With only 2 days remaining for the India vs Kuwait game, Igor Stimac shared a few motivating words as the players aimed to make history in Indian Football. The head coach himself took to social media to share his words.
‘The players are ready to go, we’re on to the final stage of preparations for Kuwait and Qatar. It’s all about getting our tactics right and making sure we are all mentally exactly where we need to be’ wrote Stimac along with a video of his speech.
Watch his speech with the players here
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Blue Tigers aim for history in India vs Kuwait
India first entered World Cup qualifiers in 1985 but has never moved beyond the first round. Reaching the third round would not only be a historic achievement but would also guarantee straight qualifying to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia. The June 6 match is thus extremely important.
The qualification criteria need India to finish among the top two teams in their group in the second round, advancing them to the third round, which has 18 nations divided into three groups of six.
Can Indian Football Team qualify for the next round?
Following a dismal performance against Afghanistan in their last two games, the Indian Football Team is in a precarious situation, with just two teams advancing to the third round after six games. They began their campaign with a 1-0 victory against Kuwait, but a 3-0 defeat to Qatar in Bhubaneshwar did not help their cause, and a draw and loss to Afghanistan made India’s task much more tough.
Although India is now second in the group with four points from as many games, the Sunil Chhetri-led squad is just ahead of Afghanistan on goal difference. India has to win both of its remaining games and cannot afford to lose another point to advance to the next round.
