Football

India's World Cup qualifying dreams were shattered in Doha after a controversial goal allowed Qatar to snatch a 2-1 victory. Coach Igor Stimac expressed outrage over the "irregular" goal, claiming it "killed" his team's aspirations.India took an early lead but Qatar equalized with a goal that Stimac vehemently disputed. Replays confirmed that the ball had crossed the line before being dragged back into play. "It shouldn't be happening in today's football," Stimac lamented. "It changed everything."Despite the setback, Stimac praised his players' efforts. "They were fantastic," he said. "We controlled the game for a major part." However, he acknowledged India's shortcomings in the attacking third. "We should have scored thrice in the first half," he said. "There's something missing in Indian football, and that's clinical reactions inside the box."Qatar's equalizer deflated India's momentum, and they conceded a second goal in the 85th minute. The loss ended India's hopes of reaching the third round of World Cup qualifying and direct qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.Stimac expressed disappointment but congratulated Qatar. "It's kind of an injustice to my boys," he said. "We were very close to winning this game and qualifying for the third round."India's bid for the Asian Cup will now continue in the Third Round of Qualifiers, scheduled for March 2025. Stimac remains optimistic despite the setback. "We have a young team with a lot of potential," he said. "We will learn from this experience and come back stronger."

India's Farewell to Sunil Chhetri in FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifier Against KuwaitIndia's legendary captain Sunil Chhetri will bid farewell to international football in a historic FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifier match against Kuwait on Thursday, June 6. The match, to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, marks the end of an illustrious career for the 39-year-old striker.Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer with 84 goals, has been instrumental in the team's rise in the FIFA rankings. Under his leadership, India has achieved its highest-ever ranking of 96th and has qualified for the AFC Asian Cup four times.The FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers are a crucial step in India's quest to reach the global football showpiece for the first time. The top two teams from each of the nine groups of four teams will advance to the third stage, where Asia's eight World Cup berths will be decided.India currently sits second in Group A, behind Oman, with six points from four matches. A win against Kuwait would boost their chances of finishing in the top two and advancing to the next round.Kuwait, ranked 146th in the FIFA rankings, will be a tough opponent for India. The Kuwaitis have won two of their four matches in the qualifiers and will be looking to upset India in Chhetri's farewell match.The match is expected to be an emotional affair for Chhetri and Indian football fans alike. Chhetri has been a symbol of hope and inspiration for the nation, and his retirement will mark the end of an era.

Lalengmawia Ralte, a key midfielder for the Indian national football team, faces a potential dilemma as his university examination conflicts with India's crucial World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. The match holds immense significance as India aims to qualify for the third round of a World Cup qualifying cycle for the first time.Ralte, who has earned 18 senior team caps, has reportedly requested to be excused from the preparatory camp due to his exam. However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked him to discuss the matter with head coach Igor Stimac.In addition to Ralte's potential absence, India may also miss Akash Mishra, Rahul KP, and Mohammed Yasir due to injuries. Skipper Sunil Chhetri could also join the camp later than May 10 due to a family illness.Ralte's absence would be a significant blow to India's midfield. In the recently concluded Indian Super League (ISL) season, he played a pivotal role for Mumbai City FC, boasting an 85% passing accuracy and creating 17 chances. He was named player of the match in the final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.Mumbai City coach Petr Krakty praised Ralte's performance, saying, "Apuiah (Ralte's nickname) handled the team fantastically." He added that Ralte deserves "a bit more recognition" despite other Indian players scoring goals.India's chances of qualifying for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers hinge on the results of their matches against Kuwait and Qatar. A victory against Kuwait would boost their hopes, while a defeat could jeopardize their chances.The AIFF is hopeful that Ralte will be able to resolve the conflict between his exam and the national team's commitments. However, if he is unable to participate, India will have to find a suitable replacement to fill the void in their midfield.

Milestone man Sunil Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer, will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Blue Tigers seek to overcome their goal-scoring woes in the return leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Afghanistan on March 26 in Guwahati.Igor Stimac's India fired a blank in a disappointing draw in the away leg Group A match in Abha, Saudi Arabia on March 22 against their lower-ranked opponents, extending their goalless run. India last scored a goal in November 2023 against Kuwait.In this backdrop, it will be imperative from India's point of view that Chhetri, who will be appearing in his 150th international match, rises to the occasion and makes his landmark game memorable at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Having played his first International in 2005, he has so far earned 149 international caps, 93 goals, and 11 trophies for the country. His team would be too happy to see him score one more time, lead them to victory, and brighten their prospects of reaching the third round of the World Cup qualifications, something they have not achieved.While Chhetri has always looked to deliver what is expected of him, his teammates understand it is not fair to rely only on a 39-year-old talisman. They will need to chip in with useful contributions if the 58th-ranked side is to excel and stay in the reckoning for a place in the third round.Stimac has prioritized qualification to the third round of World Cup Qualifiers and secure a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. However, with his team coming off a disappointing campaign in the last continental showpiece, the Croatian will be under pressure and will want his wards to show a lot more desperation, composure, and urgency upfront.The Blue Tigers currently stand second in the group with four points from three games, one ahead of Kuwait, who are on three points from as many matches. India can still advance to the third round, but the task has got a lot tougher following last week's stalemate, from which they gained only a point. India will need at least four points from their next three matches – against Afghanistan (Tuesday), Kuwait (June 6), and Qatar (June 11) to remain in control of their fate.Stimac hoped that Chhetri could make his landmark match all the more special with a performance befitting his stature in Indian football. "Being chosen to represent your country is a dream of millions of kids when they start kicking the ball, and to make it 150 times is possible only for the GOATs (greatest of all times)," said Stimac. "We hope our captain will make it memorable on March 26 for all Indian fans and himself."Stimac tried out almost all options upfront in the first leg, but they did not work, and a goal eluded the team. He admitted that the team needs improvements in a few areas, especially while attacking, and was not happy with the manner in which his wards complicated things instead of keeping them simple in the final third. "We need to be better in passing, creating chances, and attacking the box when the crosses are coming from the flanks," he said.The Blue Tigers had last played in Guwahati five years ago, when they suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Oman in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup preliminary joint qualifiers. Match starts at 7pm IST.