India vs. Qatar: Can India Pluck the Asian Giants?

India vs. Qatar: A Clash of Titans in the Second Round of 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

India vs. Qatar match will be played in the second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at a sold-out Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday.

The Indians are confident after a 1-0 win away in Kuwait. India showcased defensive solidity on a big occasion, providing Igor Stimac with the perfect start to the qualifying campaign.

Qatar asserted their dominance in the group with a statement of intent, defeating Afghanistan 8-1 at home in their first match. Star striker Almoez Ali was instrumental, scoring four goals in that game.

India vs. Qatar Match Details

Stimac’s Bold Decisions Pay Off: India Eye Qatar Revenge with Tactical Tweaks

India’s Croatian head coach made some bold decisions in the victory against Kuwait, especially in benching Lallianzuala Chhangte. Chhangte, as a substitute, had a decisive impact by assisting the winning goal for Manvir Singh, who initially started the game in Chhangte’s original position.

Apuia Ralte, who hadn’t been part of the squad for the last two national camps, returned directly to the starting XI. He proved to be a calming presence in midfield alongside Suresh Wangjam. Rahul Bheke entered the game to partner Sandesh Jhingan at the heart of India’s defense, providing solidity.

All these strategic moves contributed to the team’s success against Kuwait.

Stimac’s decisions in player selection have proven successful, and none of the chosen players have given him a reason to alter the team. Bheke, in particular, seeks redemption against Qatar, as he was sent off in the 17th minute during their last encounter, in which Qatar won 1-0.

In this Qatar game, India may not have much possession of football, so the key is to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities. Manvir’s pace and strength could be crucial, but the match-winner against Kuwait missed training before this clash with Qatar.

Another consideration is the position of Sahal Abdul Samad, not because of any fault of his own. If Stimac thinks he needs a defensive midfielder with Apuia and Suresh, he might replace Sahal with Anirudh Thapa to challenge the Qataris during the build-up.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu: India’s Last Line of Defense Faces Stern Test Against Qatar’s Offensive Might

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu delivered an outstanding performance in the previous World Cup qualifying campaign, specifically in a game played away in Qatar, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Qatar boasts some of Asia’s top attacking players, such as Akram Afif, Hassan Al-Haydos, and Akram Afif. During that night in Doha, they relentlessly attacked Gurpreet, but he successfully repelled every attempt.

Gurpreet won’t tackle this job alone; he’ll expect near-perfection from those in front of him. Jhingan must put his body on the line, Bheke needs to stay steady, and Akash Mishra and Nikhil Poojary must fiercely contest their one-on-one battles.

However, facing a team of Qatar’s pedigree will undoubtedly result in them creating chances and taking shots on goal. For a man who usually relishes big occasions, this is another one for Gurpreet.

If he and his defense can keep the backdoor shut in the opening exchanges and well into the game, there’s a chance Qatar will try to force things more, potentially opening up spaces for India in attack. The game plan is likely to be counter-attacking, relying on the big number one to maintain a clean sheet for as long as possible.

In 2023, India demonstrated their ability to compete with superior Asian teams with a 2-2 draw against Iraq in September. This result should boost their confidence. However, facing the Asian champions poses an even greater challenge.

Securing six points from the initial six matches may have exceeded Stimac’s expectations, but India now has a golden opportunity within reach. The question is, can they seize it?

Krishanu

My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.

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