The Indian staff was on Thursday drawn alongside Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in Group D of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup remaining spherical qualifiers to be performed in Kolkata in June this 12 months.
The official draw ceremony was held on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
India will play Cambodia on June 8, adopted by matches towards Afghanistan on June 11 and Hong Kong on June 14. All matches will probably be performed at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The taking part 24 groups have been divided into six teams. The six group winners and the 5 finest second-placed groups will earn a ticket to the AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023.
The second we have all been ready for! The #BlueTigers have been positioned in Group D of the @afcasiancup Final Round Qualifiers
Group D
#ACQ2023 #AgainTheBlue #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/iCv34tW4ew
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) February 24, 2022
The Blue Tigers had made it to the ultimate spherical of the qualifiers after ending third in Group E within the second spherical of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup Joint Qualifiers.
“Draws can all the time be good or dangerous. But we have to do our job,” head coach Igor Stimac stated after the draw.
Commenting in regards to the groups within the group, Stimac urged everybody to “take it seriously to get the job done.”
“Afghanistan has all the time been a tough opponent. They include gamers who’ve expertise taking part in in worldwide leagues.
“Hong Kong may also be strengthened with their three gamers from Brazil, perhaps one every from the UK, and New Zealand be part of them, together with a number of others who play overseas. But we have to justify our place as a pot 1 staff,” the pinnacle coach stated.
“We are playing at home, and hopefully with the fans cheering us from the stands, the players will be extra motivated.”
THE DRAW IS LIVE
Watch the @afcasiancup Qualifiers Draw LIVE to see who India will host, in Kolkata
Click right here https://t.co/JfvJ0HBSe6#ACQ2023 #AgainTheBlue #BlueTigers #IndianFootball @theafcdotcom
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) February 24, 2022
Bagan, Mumbai City gamers to hitch Kolkata camp late in May
Stimac plans to begin preparatory camp in Kolkata from first the week of May however at leat half a dozen gamers from ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC will probably be busy with their AFC Champions League dedication and can solely be part of after May 25 and 29 respectively.
“We plan to start our preparatory camp in Kolkata from the primary week of May. But gamers from Mumbai City FC will not be obtainable earlier than May 29 owing to their membership commitments within the AFC Champions League.
“Furthermore, ATK Mohun Bagan is also likely to be involved in the AFC Cup, and their players will also be unavailable till May 25,” Stimac knowledgeable.
“And there are almost 12 or more players from both the clubs who are part of the national team.”
During that point, Stimac will verify on the opposite gamers.
“In such a scenario, we have to verify on different gamers, put together them and await the others to hitch. The scenario is similar to March previous to the friendlies,” he added.
The Blue Tigers are taking part in Bahrain and Belarus on March 23 and 26 respectively in two worldwide friendlies.
Fixtures:
June 8: India vs Cambodia
June 11: Afghanistan vs India
June 14: India vs Hong Kong.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
