Indian Football Team to Play Tri-Nation Tournament with Lebanon and Vietnam in October

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FIFA Rankings

The Indian Football Team is gearing up for an exciting Tri-Nation-friendly tournament scheduled for October 2024. This event, hosted in Vietnam, promises intense football action as India competes against two formidable opponents: Vietnam and Lebanon.

Vietnam holds the 116th position, while Lebanon is ranked 117th. India stands at 124th, making this a highly competitive tournament. This tournament marks India’s first international appearance since narrowly missing out on advancing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

The Indian team will be stepping onto the field without a head coach, following the termination of Igor Stimac’s contract. Stimac, a Croatian national, ended his five-year tenure after the team failed to qualify for the third stage of the World Cup Qualifiers, leading to strained relations with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The AIFF is currently in the process of appointing a new head coach, marking the beginning of a new era for Indian football. Additionally, the team will be without their all-time top scorer, Sunil Chhetri, who retired from international football after a goalless draw against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium on June 6. Chhetri’s departure leaves a significant gap in the squad, adding to the challenges the team faces.

Competing against higher-ranked teams like Vietnam and Lebanon will provide valuable experience. It’s an opportunity for India to rebuild and establish a new identity under the forthcoming head coach.

Indian Football Team’s Fixture Schedule:

October 9: Vietnam vs. India

October 12: India vs. Lebanon

October 15: Vietnam vs. Lebanon

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