Fifa World Cup qualifiers, India vs Afghanistan as it happened: India hold on for a vital point
Updates from the Fifa World Cup qualifiers match between India and Afghanistan in Doha.
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
It wasn't exactly the smoothest of rides there but third place was the best-case scenario in this group. We've got that. Now let's hope for a good draw in the next round #IndianFootball #INDAFG
— Vishnu Prasad (@visheprasad) June 15, 2021
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
Well played #BlueTigers and congratulations on qualifying for the third round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers! #INDAFG #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball @IndianFootball @afcasiancup https://t.co/AiygUVpSbK
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) June 15, 2021
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
Got lucky there #IndianFootball.
— Anant Tyagi (@anantyagi_) June 15, 2021
If you'd told them they'd finish 3rd in this group 2 years ago, they'd have taken it but Guwahati spoiled us, Kolkata and Dushanbe frustrated us and Doha has proven that there is some serious work that needs to be done. 3rd round nonetheless 👊🙏
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
Just one win for India but four draws. Some good, some not so good.
Group E as it stands
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar (Q) | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 22 |
| 2 | Oman (Q) | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 15 |
| 3 | India (Q) | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| 4 | Afghanistan (Z) | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 5 | Bangladesh (Q) | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
Full-time stats. A draw probably a fair result.
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
People talk about the World Cup. I talk about the day when we won’t have to struggle to beat Bangladesh and Afghanistan. #INDAFG
— The Footy Traveller (@footytraveller_) June 15, 2021
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
Lucky day for the Blue Tigers as they narrowly escaped losing against Afghanistan.
— Indian Football Team for World Cup (@IFTWC) June 15, 2021
What's your opinion about the game ? What needs to change ?
FT: India 1-1 Afghanistan
It ends all square. India qualify for the third round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers after finishing third in Group E. The point is enough to beat Afghanistan in fourth place. India got a bit lucky with their goal but perhaps deserved a point in the end.
90+2’ India 1-1 Afghanistan
Afghanistan win a free-kick in a dangerous position but it’s hit straight at Gurpreet who gobbles it.
90+1’ India 1-1 Afghanistan
Four minutes of stoppage time. Can India hold on for a point?
82’ India 1-1 Afghanistan
GOOOOAAAALLLLL! ZAMANI! Afghanistan are level with a beautiful goal finished off brilliantly by the teenager. India’s lead didn’t last long and Afghanistan deserve parity in this game.
81’ India 1-0 Afghanistan
Ashique Kuruniyan’s whose cross was turned into his own net by Afghanistan goalkeeper is replaced by Bipin Singh.
74’ India 1-0 Afghanistan
GOOOOOOOOOAAALLLLL! What a shocking error from the Afghanistan goalkeeper who spills a simple cross into his own net. Massive slice of luck for India.
69’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Chhetri has been taken off for Liston Colaco. Big move this from Stimac to get his biggest goal threat off the field.
67’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Brilliant from Ashqiue who wins the ball before charging at the Afghanistan defender and then winning a free-kick.
63’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Apuia comes on for Brandon Fernandes as Igor Stimac makes his first change.
53’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
A cagey start to the second half. Both teams playing very safe in midfield.
46’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Second half begins. No changes by either manager at the break.
HT: India 0-0 Afghanistan
A half of few chances. Both teams have nullified each other’s threat quite well. Afghanistan have looked the more adventurous of the two teams and have edged possession and India have looked threatening on the break in parts. So far the result suits India and the onus will be on Afghanistan to take the game to the Blue Tigers. Interesting second half to come.
45’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Suresh picks up a misplaced pass and runs straight at the heart of the Afghanistan defence but his final pass isn’t very good and the opponents survive. Good transition from India.
36’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Afghanistan have upped the ante a bit. Chinglensana Singh booked after successive fouls.
31’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Afghanistan forced into an early change. Captain Farshad Noor is replaced by Ahmed Najem.
24’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Back-to-back corners for India but nothing comes of it. It’s been a very even game so far. India though have won plenty of corners so far and that may be the best route to goal as it stands.
10’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Chhetri forces a save from the goalkeeper. The angle was tight but Chhetri does well to force a corner. India looking sharp.
8’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
Afghanistan not shying away from the ball and keeping decent amount of possession. India looking threatening on the break.
2’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
A positive start from India who win a corner in the first minute but Afghanistan clear the danger.
1’ India 0-0 Afghanistan
KICK OFF! India in their regular blue strip get the game underway
7:25 pm: What India need tonight?
A draw will be enough for the Blue Tigers to seal third place but failure to win could mean India would need to depend on results elsewhere to be sure of a place in the next round of AFC Asian Cup qualification. A defeat would mean India would have to enter playoff round.
7:23 pm: India have the upper hand in head-to-head record
India vs Afghanistan H2H record
| Matches Played | India Wins | Draws | Afghanistan Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
7:20 pm: Igor Stimac’s pre-match press conference
7:12 pm: Stimac makes two changes
India playing XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Chinlensana Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Glan Martins, Suresh Wangjam, Brandon Fernandes, Ashique Kuruniyan, Manvir Singh, Sunil Chhetri
Group E as it stands
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +17 | 22 |
| 2 | Oman | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | +7 | 15 |
| 3 | India | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | −1 | 6 |
| 4 | Afghanistan | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −10 | 5 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | −13 | 2 |
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India vs Afghanistan in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers (and more relevantly for India, the bid to qualify for 2023 AFC Asian Cup). Kick-off is at 7.30 pm IST. Sunil Chhetri and Co look to build on 2-0 win over Bangladesh