Following a disappointing display against Afghanistan in the away leg of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier at Abha’s Damac Stadium, team India aims to improve their scoring form as they face Afghanistan again at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, tonight in Guwahati, Assam.
India is currently in second place in Group A, alongside Qatar and Kuwait. They have participated in three matches, winning one, losing one, and drawing one. India must secure a victory, plain and simple, to control their fate in advancing to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Coach Igor Stimac jokingly mentioned quitting if India doesn’t make it to the third round, but if that were to happen, his departure might not be voluntary.
FIFA QUALIFIER RECAP : INDIA VS AFGHANISTAN IN ABHA
India had a challenging time at the Damac Stadium in Abha (Saudi Arabia) last week with a goalless draw, as they appeared disorganized for extended periods and struggled to sustain pressure against a disciplined Afghanistan team. The first half of the match between India and Afghanistan was characterized by an open style of play, there was a flurry of attacking moves. However, the strikers on both sides struggled to make an impact in the crucial final third of the pitch. This left coaches Igor Stimac and Ashley Westwood visibly frustrated as they shouted instructions from the touchline.Right from the beginning, India took an offensive approach, causing moments of anxiety for Afghanistan’s defense. A series of scoring opportunities arose during the game that could have significantly influenced its outcome if they had been successfully converted into goals.
Had Manvir converted the 17th minute goal opportunity, India would have secured an early lead in the away leg of the 2026 World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup preliminary joint qualification match.As the game advanced Afghanistan had a chance to take the lead when Mosawer Ahadi found space on the right side of the box, but his left-footed shot lacked power and was easily handled by Sandhu. In the 58th minute, India had an opportunity when Akash Mishra provided a cross to Vikram Partap Singh, but Singh’s finishing was disappointing. Afghanistan then squandered a clear chance as Rahul Bheke intercepted a shot from Rahmat Akbari and Omid Popalzay in front of the goal. Despite one of the game’s best chances falling to India, Subhasish Bose’s header from a corner-kick missed the target.The match was fast-paced with chances at both ends, but neither team managed to seriously challenge the goalkeepers.
Post-Match Remarks: Coach Igor Stimac and Captain Sunil Chettri Reflect on the Game
After the India vs Afghanistan match held on Thursday, March 21st March in Abha, Coach Igor Stimac expressed his determination regarding the team’s performance. He stated that if he fails to guide India to the third round, he would step down from his position, leaving with his pride and honor based on the five years of work done. Stimac acknowledged the disappointment with the first game’s result against Afghanistan and stressed the importance of rectifying the situation. He also mentioned the significance of having a good crowd in Assam for the next game and reflected on the team’s positive mindset while aiming to deliver their best performance. Stimac highlighted the necessity of a win, as a draw would be viewed similarly to a loss, and emphasized the importance of making things smoother for the upcoming game against Kuwait in June.
After the match, Sunil Chhetri, the captain of Team India stated how the team grew desperate as the game progressed. He noted that missing chances early on can create a sense of chasing the game, fueled by the desire to win. Chhetri highlighted the importance of capitalizing on opportunities regardless of the opponent, urging the team to convert chances when they arise.
Key Concerns Ahead of Tonight’s Match: Team Preparations and Potential Challenges
1)India
Team India realized on Thursday night that merely assembling a team with attacking-minded players doesn’t automatically result in an improved ability to score goals. Despite India’s capacity to create danger from set-pieces, their overall effectiveness in open play was lacking, which consequently limited their chances to convert those set-piece opportunities into goals.
One of the key issues observed was the absence of a cohesive link between the four attackers and the rest of the team. This lack of connection meant that the team struggled to seamlessly transition from defense to attack and failed to maintain a structured offensive presence. As a result, there were noticeable gaps and spaces between the lines that Afghanistan adeptly exploited during counter-attacks and swift transitions. Therefore, it’s imperative for Stimac and his coaching staff to address these tactical and positional issues to enhance India’s attacking output and defensive stability in future matches.
2) Afghanistan
Westwood’s team has demonstrated resilience despite the player boycott affecting their preparations, indicating that their performance on the pitch hasn’t suffered significantly. Despite this, similar to India, their struggle to create cohesive attacking plays even when given ample space due to India’s tactical shortcomings is an aspect they need to address before their next match. Westwood’s team showed resilience despite the player boycott showcasing the team’s ability to overcome off-field distractions and maintain focus during matches. This resilience has allowed them to perform relatively well despite the challenges they faced outside the game.India’s lack of tactical discipline and their inability to maintain a structured defensive setup often leads to spaces being left open that the opposing Afghanistan team can exploit.
Overall, both teams have areas to improve in terms of tactical organization and execution, particularly in creating cohesive attacking moves and maintaining defensive solidity. Addressing these issues will be crucial for their upcoming matches to achieve better results. For more information you can refer to this ESPN article.
7 Comments
We wish India will play better football this time from the previous encounter.
Blue Tigers!!
As an Indian football fan I am disappointed with the last performance of the team against afganistan but hope they will bear away this time
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