As Igor Stimac’s men travel to Qatar to participate in the quest for continental glory at the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
India’s trip in the AFC Asian Cup, the mainland’s premier football event which was innovated in 1956, is a compelling narrative of transitory brilliance, inconsistency, and unwavering stopgap.
For Indian football suckers, the Asian Cup holds a bittersweet charm. It’s a event where dreams of international glory encounter shoulders with the harsh reality of underachievement.
As Igor Stimac’s men travel to Qatar to share in the hunt for international glory at the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
India’s 1964 crusade remains etched in myth. serving from recessions due to political uneasiness, it gained a direct qualification to the event tests. Led by the iconic English trainer Harry Wright, India reached the final, a feat unmatched since. The Blue Barracuda dazed with its attacking faculty, defeating Thailand and South Vietnam before succumbing to Israel in the final. Though runners- up, it had blazoned its appearance on the international stage.
The Long Delay 1984
After a 20- time hiatus, India returned to the Asian Cup in 1984, but its trip ended in the group stage. Drawn into a tough Group B with China, Iran, the UAE, and hosts Singapore, India faced an uphill battle. Despite gallant sweats, it fell suddenly in three games, risking only a solitary point with a gritty goalless draw against bootstrappers Iran. Krishanu Dey, a fabulous figure in Indian football, was part of the platoon that battled against these Asian titans under Serbian trainer Milovan Ciric.
The Longer Stay 2011
The time 2011 witnessed India’s long- awaited comeback to the Asian Cup, 27 times after its last appearance. Fueled by a chapeau- trick and a thing by Bhaichung Bhutia, India defeated Tajikistan in the final of the Challenge Cup and good for the Asian Cup 2011. The Blues entered the event brimming with stopgap. still, a cruel twist of fate awaited them in the form of three group- stage losses, transferring them back home without a single point and leaving behind a trail of heartache for a nation that had conceited of international glory.
A Regard of Progress 2019
After an eight- time absence, India roared back onto the AFC Asian Cup stage in 2019 under Stephen Constantine. Despite eventually bowing out in the group stage, casts of stopgap shone through. Sunil Chhetri’s brace against Thailand secured a major first palm in 55 times, a testament to the Blue Barracuda ’ progress. still, two posterior losses saw its Asian Cup adventure cut short, marking the third successive group- stage exit. Know More Latest Football News…
