New Delhi: India are the first team to check in for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 with Igor Stimac’s squad touching down in Doha early Sunday morning.
The Indian men’s football team got a rousing welcome in Qatar, as the Sunil Chhetri and co. landed in Doha for the AFC Asian Cup.
The Indian Super League (ISL) social handle shared a video from the Manjappada, which shows multitudes of fans gathering at the airport to cheer on the Blue Tigers.
India will play its opening Group B match against Australia on January 13, 2024 (17:00 IST), at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan before facing Uzbekistan on January 18 (20:00 IST) at the same venue. Stimac’s men will then move to the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor to take on Syria on January 23 (17:00 IST).
Head coach Igor Stimac announced a 26-member football squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar. India have been drawn in Group B and will take on Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria in Qatar where they recently played the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Familiar names Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhinghan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu were part of the 26-member squad. Central defender Anwar Ali missed out from the final squad due to an ankle injury.
India’s squad for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh.
Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.
India’s Group B fixtures at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023
January 13, 2024: Australia vs India (17:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 18, 2024: India vs Uzbekistan (20:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 23, 2024: Syria vs India (17:00 IST, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor)
