Indian soccer staff captain Sunil Chhetri being welcomed upon his arrival at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match towards Afghanistan in Guwahati.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Milestone man Sunil Chhetri would be the cynosure of all eyes as India hope to beat their struggles in entrance of the purpose in 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 in 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 purpose in November 2023 towards Kuwait.
In this backdrop, will probably be crucial from India’s viewpoint that Chhetri, who can be showing in his 150th international match, rises to the event and make his landmark sport memorable on the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
Having performed his first International in 2005, he has to this point earned 149 international caps, 93 goals and 11 trophies for the nation, and his staff could be too completely happy to see him rating 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.
While Chhetri has all the time seemed to ship what is anticipated of him, his teammates perceive it’s not truthful to rely solely on a 39-year-old talisman they usually might want to chip in with helpful contributions if the 58-ranked aspect is to excel and keep in the reckoning for a spot in 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 in the final continental showpiece, the Croatian can be underneath strain and can need his wards to point out much more desperation, composure and urgency upfront.
The Blue Tigers at present stand second in 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 process has obtained rather a lot harder following final week’s stalemate, from which they gained solely a degree.
India will want a minimum of 4 factors from their subsequent three matches – towards Afghanistan (Tuesday), Kuwait (June 6) and Qatar (June 11) to stay in management of their destiny.
Stimac hoped that Chhetri might make his landmark match all of the extra particular with a efficiency befitting his stature in Indian soccer.
“Being chosen to represent your country is a dream of millions of kids when they start kicking the ball, and to make it 150 times is possible only for the GOATs (greatest of all times),” stated Stimac.
“We hope our captain will make it memorable on March 26 for all Indian fans and himself.” Stimac tried out nearly all choices upfront in the primary leg however they didn’t work, and a purpose eluded the staff.
He admitted that the staff wants enhancements in a couple of areas particularly whereas attacking, and was not pleased with the style in which his wards sophisticated issues as an alternative of preserving them smile in the ultimate third.
“We need to be better in passing, creating chances and attacking the box 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 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup preliminary joint qualifiers.
Match begins at 7pm IST.
