Igor Stimac Announces 23-Member Squad for FIFA World Cup Qualifier Against Qatar

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Indian senior men’s team head coach Igor Stimac announced a 23-member squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Round 2 Qualifier against Qatar on June 11, 2024. The announcement came after India’s 0-0 draw with Kuwait in Sunil Chhetri’s farewell match.

Igor Stimac’s squad

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith

Defenders: Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh, David Lalhlansanga

The Blue Tigers will travel to Doha from Kolkata on Saturday evening. They will take on the two-time Asian champions Qatar in their last Group A match at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.

India remains in the second spot with five points and a goal difference of -3. Afghanistan also played out a 0-0 draw with Qatar and maintained the third spot with a goal difference of -10. Kuwait is still at the bottom of the pile with four points.

With Qatar already having booked their spot in the third round, all the other three teams remain in contention for the second and final berth. India will qualify for the third round if they beat Qatar and maintain their goal-difference advantage over Afghanistan, who will face Kuwait on the same day.

A point will also be enough for the Blue Tigers if Afghanistan versus Kuwait also ends in a draw. However, a defeat in Qatar will end India’s hopes of progressing, irrespective of the other result.

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