going through each group, i don't see any easy group for our level teams. even if we had placed in any other group, we still be the third best at most.
Can't expect easy group being in Pot 4. If we can fight as a competitive team and also snatch a point against Syria, the team will feel confident to make the next incremental progress.
Can't expect easy group being in Pot 4. If we can fight as a competitive team and also snatch a point against Syria, the team will feel confident to make the next incremental progress.
bro. we face Australia first, Uzbekistan second. By the time, we face Syria, our players will be worn out chasing against Australia & Uzbekistan players. Even 1 point looks tough for me considering the opponents in first 2 games.
It’s a very tough group and reality check for Indian players and stimac. Apart from Iran and Qatar we haven’t played such high level teams in a long time. Also the Syria that India used to defeat is different from what it is now
The 101st ranked Indians were drawn to play against former champions Australia (29), Syria (90) and Uzbekistan (74) in Group B of the continental tournament.
India’s job at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup is significantly tougher than what they were tasked to do four years earlier, said the national team’s head coach Igor Stimac on Thursday.
I'm not happy with the draw. But I will still stand-on my words. We will become best only if we face best teams. We played 2011 & 2019 Asian cup and will be playing in 2023. Nothing much changed, we still rely on Chhetri for goals. Though we improved defensively, without proper goal-scorers, we will not go anywhere.
Though it is tough group. It is much better group than in 2011 (of course 16 vs 24). But we are pitted against Australia & S.Korea (then top 3 football nations, even now top 4) and Bahrain (top 4/5 nation in 2011). More or less, we played against top 4 nations in group stage during 2011 Asian cup due to different rules for pots at that time.
Finally, we hardly get chance to meet strong nations like Australia, Uzbekistan & Syria. We are on track with upcoming matches, but we still need to utilize this 7 months' time and play 2 stronger Asian opponents along with friendlies from various regions (Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan & New Zealand) and be well prepared.
Comments
'You Never Know, we Might Qualify': India Defender Pritam Kotal Reacts To Asian Cup Draw
https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/football-news/2023-afc-asian-cup-india-defender-pritam-kotal-reacts-to-tough-draw-articleshow.htmlIndia’s job at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup is significantly tougher than what they were tasked to do four years earlier, said the national team’s head coach Igor Stimac on Thursday.
https://www.news9live.com/sports/football/indias-task-at-2023-afc-asian-cup-much-harder-than-in-2019-says-coach-igor-stimac-2135391
Though it is tough group. It is much better group than in 2011 (of course 16 vs 24). But we are pitted against Australia & S.Korea (then top 3 football nations, even now top 4) and Bahrain (top 4/5 nation in 2011). More or less, we played against top 4 nations in group stage during 2011 Asian cup due to different rules for pots at that time.
Finally, we hardly get chance to meet strong nations like Australia, Uzbekistan & Syria. We are on track with upcoming matches, but we still need to utilize this 7 months' time and play 2 stronger Asian opponents along with friendlies from various regions (Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan & New Zealand) and be well prepared.