Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Indian soccer staff captain Sunil Chhetri being welcomed upon his arrival at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Worldwide Airport forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match towards Afghanistan in Guwahati.
| Photograph Credit score: PTI
Milestone man Sunil Chhetri would be the cynosure of all eyes as India hope to beat their struggles in entrance of the aim within the return leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier towards Afghanistan in Guwahati on March 26.
Igor Stimac’s India fired a clean in a disappointing draw within the away leg Group A match in Abha, Saudi Arabia on March 22 towards their lower-ranked opponents, extending their goalless run.
India final scored a aim in November 2023 towards Kuwait.
On this backdrop, will probably be crucial from India’s standpoint that Chhetri, who will probably be showing in his one hundred and fiftieth worldwide match, rises to the event and make his landmark recreation memorable on the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
Having performed his first Worldwide in 2005, he has to date earned 149 worldwide caps, 93 targets and 11 trophies for the nation, and his staff can be too completely satisfied to see him rating yet another time, make them victory and brighten their prospects of reaching the third spherical of the World Cup {qualifications}, one thing they haven’t achieved.
Whereas Chhetri has all the time appeared to ship what is predicted of him, his teammates perceive it’s not truthful to rely solely on a 39-year-old talisman and so they might want to chip in with helpful contributions if the 58-ranked facet is to excel and keep within the reckoning for a spot within the third spherical.
Stimac has prioritised qualification to the third spherical of World Cup Qualifiers and safe a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup however together with his staff coming off a disappointing marketing campaign within the final continental showpiece, the Croatian will probably be underneath strain and can need his wards to point out much more desperation, composure and urgency upfront.
The Blue Tigers presently stand second within the group with 4 factors from three video games, one forward of Kuwait, who’re on three factors from as many matches.
India can nonetheless advance to the third spherical however the activity has received lots more durable following final week’s stalemate, from which they gained solely some extent.
India will want at the least 4 factors from their subsequent three matches – towards Afghanistan (Tuesday), Kuwait (June 6) and Qatar (June 11) to stay answerable for their destiny.
Stimac hoped that Chhetri may make his landmark match all of the extra particular with a efficiency befitting his stature in Indian soccer.
“Being chosen to symbolize your nation is a dream of tens of millions of youngsters once they begin kicking the ball, and to make it 150 occasions is feasible just for the GOATs (best of all occasions),” stated Stimac.
“We hope our captain will make it memorable on March 26 for all Indian followers and himself.” Stimac tried out nearly all choices upfront within the first leg however they didn’t work, and a aim eluded the staff.
He admitted that the staff wants enhancements in a number of areas particularly whereas attacking, and was not pleased with the style wherein his wards sophisticated issues as a substitute of conserving them smile within the remaining third.
“We must be higher in passing, creating possibilities and attacking the field when the crosses are coming from the flanks,” he stated.
The Blue Tigers had final performed in Guwahati 5 years in the past, once they suffered a 1-2 defeat by the hands of Oman within the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup preliminary joint qualifiers.
Match begins at 7pm IST.
