FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Atawaris Warsi
The Indian Football team’s fate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers hinges on a pivotal clash against Qatar. Following a critical draw with Kuwait, India’s hopes rest on securing a victory against the formidable Qatari side. A draw would only suffice if Kuwait and Afghanistan also ended their match in a stalemate.
The recent retirement of Sunil Chhetri, India’s iconic captain and all-time top scorer, has left a void, placing immense pressure on the young prodigies to rise to the occasion. A loss would dash their dreams, making this a do-or-die match for India. With such an enticing match awaiting, we at Khel Now take a look at the three keys to success for India against Qatar:
The Blue Tigers missed the chance to give Sunil Chhetri a fitting farewell by failing to secure a win at home against Kuwait. Now, the pressing question is who will step up to replace him against Qatar.
Rahim Ali, who struggled as a substitute in the previous match, didn’t show clinical finishing skills necessary to fill Chhetri’s shoes. If India are to find the net as reliably as Chhetri did, they need a striker with precision and composure under pressure. Vikram Partap can be one option.
One potential strategy is to capitalize on wing play, leveraging the speed and creativity of Lallianzuala Chhangte and Liston Colaco. These wingers can stretch the Qatari defense and create more opportunities in the box.
By delivering accurate crosses and cutting inside, they can provide the strikers with more scoring chances. Utilizing the wings effectively could be the key to breaking down Qatar’s formidable defense and securing the crucial win India needs to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Another pressing issue evident against Kuwait was the void between the midfield and attack, a persistent problem seen during the AFC Asian Cup 2023 as well.
Qatar will likely exploit this gap, making it crucial for India’s midfielders—Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, and Suresh Singh Wangjam—to be vigilant and dynamic. They must maintain a cohesive connection with wingers Lallianzuala Chhangte and Liston Colaco.
The midfielders need to ensure smooth transitions from defense to attack, minimizing any disconnect. This requires quick, precise passing and intelligent movement off the ball. Sahal and Thapa must provide creativity and vision, while Brandon’s playmaking skills and Suresh’s defensive tenacity will be vital in controlling the midfield.
Chhangte and Liston, operating on the wings, need to link up effectively with the midfield, creating opportunities and delivering quality crosses into the box. A well-synchronised midfield and attack will be essential for India to challenge Qatar and secure the much-needed victory.
First of all, credit goes to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu for his outstanding performance against Kuwait, blocking and saving numerous opportunities to help the Blue Tigers secure a draw. As India face Qatar, we need Sandhu to replicate his heroics from 2019. Additionally, the entire defense must give them all to secure at least a draw, if not a victory.
A concerning point to note was Poojary’s performance against Kuwait. He appeared perplexed during short give-and-go plays, and his decision-making was questionable. To stand a chance against Qatar, Poojary must be at his best, demonstrating sharpness and clarity in his defensive duties and ball distribution.
The defense, alongside Sandhu’s leadership from the back, needs to stay organized, maintain composure, and communicate effectively. Each defender must focus on their role, anticipate Qatari attacks, and make crucial interventions. A robust and united defensive effort, coupled with Sandhu’s brilliance, will be vital in this high-stakes match.
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