If Ashique Kuruniyan’s value to the Indian team could be captured in one phase of play, look no further than the first half India played against Thailand at the AFC Asian Cup in January 2019, in Abu Dhabi.
Sunil Chhetri sprinted over to take a throw-in, and as he looked around for support, Ashique, who had started the match in attack in a surprise promotion ahead of Jeje Lalpekhlua, sprinted up to get in line with the central defender marking him. Chhetri released the ball deep into the corner,…
The AFC draw for World Cup 2022 qualification is being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This also serves as a draw for the Asian Cup 2023. Of the eight groups that will be made, the group winners and the four-best runners-up gain direct entry into the next Asian Cup in China.
Follow live updates to find out which seven teams India will be paired with in AFC qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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India have been drawn alongside Qatar, Oman, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Group E of the AFC’s World Cup 2022 qualification. The matches, that begin on September 5, will also serve as dual qualification for the AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023.
India will play their first match at home against Oman on September 5. They travel to Qatar next for possibly their most difficult fixture on September 10, with their opponents the reigning Asian Cup champions. India next face Bangladesh at home on October…
AIFF officially announced the appointment of Igor Stimac as head coach of the Indian national men’s football team on Wednesday. ESPN spoke to the team’s talisman, Sunil Chhetri, to hear his views on the appointment and what he expects the future to hold for the team.
On how hard it would be for Stimac to make an immediate impact
I think the first tournament will be a little difficult for him [Stimac], because the way I see it, the first camp will be announced on the 18th or 20th. If it was a running…
AIFF officially announced the appointment of Igor Stimac as head coach of the Indian national men’s football team, on Wednesday. Ahead of his hiring, ESPN had spoken to the national team’s talisman Sunil Chhetri on the prospect of Stimac taking over, the legacy of Stephen Constantine, and what the new coach can expect from the players.
Excerpts from the interview:
On how hard it would be for Stimac to make an immediate impact
I think the first tournament will be a little difficult for him…
Despite fielding a weakened lineup, Melbourne Victory picked up their first Asian Champions League point with a draw against Guangzhou Evergrande.
India fans during the Asian Cup game between Thailand and India.
Nineteen-year-old Swapnil is so pumped about the India-UAE game that he and his friends have travelled to the Zayed Sports City stadium almost six hours ahead of kick-off. A colleg…
Qatar carved out a piece of footballing history for themselves on Friday, winning the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in a 3-1 upset win over four-time winners Japan in Abu Dhabi, UAE .
Oman coach Pim Verbeek resigned from the post on Wednesday with the former Australia and South Korea boss calling time on a managerial career spanning almost 40 years.
The 62-year-old took charge of the Oman national team in 2016 and guided them to a Gulf Cup triumph the following year and to the last 16 of the Asian Cup for the first time last month.
Oman FA chief Salem bin Saeed Al Wahaibi called an emergency board meeting on Wednesday and accepted Verbeek’s resignation even though his contract…
Qatar carved out a piece of footballing history for themselves on Friday, winning the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in a 3-1 upset win over four-time winners Japan in Abu Dhabi, UAE .
It’s all over. Qatar lifted the 2019 Asian Cup on Friday, defeating Japan 3-1 in the final, and will be almost as proud at dominating ESPN’s team of the tournament.
Here are our 11 best performers from Asia’s premier tournament:
GK: Alireza Beiranvand (Iran)
The Iranian goalkeeper impressed at the 2018 World Cup and in the 2018 AFC Champions League and carried on where he left off in 2019. The highlight of the tournament was a second-minute penalty save against Oman in the second round. The No….
Qatar carved out a piece of footballing history for themselves on Friday, winning the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in a 3-1 upset win over four-time winners Japan in Abu Dhabi, UAE .
From the universality of Total Football to the Petrosian-…