The Indian National Football team had just put on a shambolic performance in Guwahati. The Afghans have defeated the Blue Tigers in its own den by 2-1 scoreline.
26th March 2024, India faced Afghanistan in FIFA WCQ, 2026 in Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium Guwahati.
Igor Stimac (India’s Coach) started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Sunil Chhetri at striker position
In his 150th national team appearance, the 39 years old Sunil Chhetri scored India’s first goal at 38’ minute by penalty .
At half time India was leading the game with a 1-0 score .
The Afghans turned the tides in the second half and looked like a completely different team in the second half.
Rahmat Akbari scored an equaliser in the 70’ minute due to Rahul Bheke’s defensive error.
After that Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a blunder in the box conceding a penalty in the 88’ minute, this was happily accepted by visitors and Sharif Mukhammad gave Afghanistan the much important lead.
The Saudi referee ‘Mohammad Al Hosish’ had a busy day on the pitch ,he booked 7 players under yellow cards out of which 5 are Indians and 2 Afghans .
After this shameful defeat even though we are sitting at 2nd position of the group. But unfortunately this defeat may have ended our dream of qualifying for the next round keeping in mind we have to play Kuwait and Qatar next.
India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Subhasish Bose, Jeakson Singh (Vikram Partap Singh 85’), Nikhil Poojary, Manvir Singh, Brandon Fernandes (Anirudh Thapa 68’), Lalengmawia Ratle, Liston Colaco (Mahesh Singh Naorem 68’), Sunil Chhetri (Lallianzuala Chhangte 68’).
Written by Aditya Rout
