India qualifies for AFC Asian Cup 2023 as group toppers
The Indian men’s football team ended its AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifying campaign with a bang—a 4-0 demolition of Hong Kong. Yesterday’s win at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati (VYB) Stadium in Kolkata, better known as Salt Lake Stadium, was also India’s first against Hong Kong in 29 years.
The win against Hong Kong ensured India emerged as the group topper. Hong Kong also qualified as one of the best five second-ranked teams among the qualifying groups.
The match was memorable for two players especially. For Anwar Ali, it was a sweet return to the team, after his career had almost ended four years ago when a defect was detected in his heart.
As for Sunil Chhetri, he once again proved himself to be India’s talisman despite the advancing years. At 37 years, yesterday’s goal was his fourth in this latest campaign—after both the goals against Cambodia and one against Afghanistan—taking his international tally to 84, on a level with none other than Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas.
He is now the third-highest active goalscorer, after Christiano Ronaldo (117) and Lione Messi (86).
India had begun its campaign with a 2-0 win against Cambodia, followed by a 2-1 win against Afghanistan, courtesy of a last-gasp goal by Sahal Abdul Samad. That goal by the super-sub had ensured India’s place in the second consecutive Asian Cup in 2023.
