The Indian senior males’s soccer aspect began off its FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers second spherical marketing campaign with a 1-0 win over Kuwait in Kuwait City on Thursday. Indian winger Manvir Singh (75’) scored the lone objective of the match and acquired his identify on scoresheet. Faizal Zaid Al-Harbi of Kuwait was despatched off within the stoppage time in the course of the second half, as per Olympics.com.
The 102nd ranked aspect India was restricted to their very own half early on as Kuwait dominated the ball possession, however Indian midfielders improved as recreation went on, making some probabilities for the strikers. Sahal Abdul Samad had the primary likelihood of scoring for India however earlier than he may shoot, he was closed down contained in the field. Seconds later, a cross by Nikhil Poojary went to Sunil Chhetri, however the shot flew over the crossbar.
WATCH India’s Manvir Singh rating in opposition to Kuwait HERE…
What an AMAZING begin to Indian marketing campaign in Qualifiers for 2026 FIFA World Cup & 2027 AFC Asian Cup as they beat Kuwait 1-0 in away match.
Manvir Singh scored the objective in seventy fifth minute.
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— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) November 16, 2023
Mahesh Naorem made one other taking pictures alternative in twenty seventh minute with a freekick however Akash Mishra didn’t take the ball to the goal. Hosts additionally didn’t convert a protracted vary effort in the course of the closing moments of first half. The Indian defence was fairly stable within the first half, effectively led by Sandesh Jhingan and they didn’t permit Kuwait strikers to make inroads into the objective.
Kuwait performed the second half with higher endeavour however regardless of consistency in effort, they lacked in precision. Suresh Singh’s promising try at objective flew off the goal in 71st minute however 4 minutes later, Manvir ended the impasse, receiving a cross by Lallianzuala Chhangte and smashing a half volley into the nets.
Kuwait upped the assault in closing moments of the match however the goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sidhu and defenders stored the objective guarded effectively. This is India’s second win over Kuwait, after beating them by 5-4 by way of penalties following 1-1 draw at SAFF Championship closing in July.
India’s subsequent conflict is in opposition to World quantity 61 Qatar on November 21 of their second group A match. Group A additionally options Afghanistan. These 4 groups will play one another in home-aeay round-robin format.
The prime two finishers within the group will make it the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers third spherical whereas additionally incomes a direct spot into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.