AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India clubbed with Cambodia, Afghanistan and Hong Kong

The Indian crew was on Thursday drawn alongside Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in Group D of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup closing spherical qualifiers to be performed in Kolkata in June this 12 months.

The official draw ceremony was held on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

India will play Cambodia on June 8, adopted by matches towards Afghanistan on June 11 and Hong Kong on June 14. All matches might be performed at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

The collaborating 24 groups have been divided into six teams. The six group winners and the 5 greatest second-placed groups will earn a ticket to the AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023.

The second we’ve all been ready for! The #BlueTigers 🐯 have been positioned in Group D of the @afcasiancup Final Round Qualifiers 🤩

Group D
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🇰🇭#ACQ2023 🏆 #AgainTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/iCv34tW4ew

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) February 24, 2022

The Blue Tigers had made it to the ultimate spherical of the qualifiers after ending third in Group E within the second spherical of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup Joint Qualifiers.

“Draws can always be good or bad. But we need to do our job,” head coach Igor Stimac stated after the draw.

Commenting concerning the groups within the group, Stimac urged everybody to “take it seriously to get the job done.”

“Afghanistan have all the time been a troublesome opponent. They include gamers who’ve expertise enjoying in worldwide leagues.

“Hong Kong will also be strengthened with their three players from Brazil, maybe one each from the UK, and New Zealand join them, along with a host of others who play abroad. But we need to justify our position as a pot 1 team,” the pinnacle coach stated.

“We are playing at home, and hopefully with the fans cheering us from the stands, the players will be extra motivated.”

🚨 THE DRAW IS LIVE 🚨

Watch the @afcasiancup Qualifiers Draw LIVE 🔴 to see who India 🇮🇳 will host, in Kolkata 🙌

Click right here 👉 https://t.co/JfvJ0HBSe6#ACQ2023 🏆 #AgainTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ @theafcdotcom

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) February 24, 2022

Bagan, Mumbai City gamers to affix Kolkata camp late in May

Stimac plans to begin preparatory camp in Kolkata from first the week of May however at leat half a dozen gamers from ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC might be busy with their AFC Champions League dedication and can solely be a part of after May 25 and 29 respectively.

“We plan to start our preparatory camp in Kolkata from the primary week of May. But gamers from Mumbai City FC gained’t be out there earlier than May 29 owing to their membership commitments within the AFC Champions League.

“Furthermore, ATK Mohun Bagan is also likely to be involved in the AFC Cup, and their players will also be unavailable till May 25,” Stimac knowledgeable.

“And there are almost 12 or more players from both the clubs who are part of the national team.”

During that point, Stimac will verify on the opposite gamers.

“In such a situation, we need to check on other players, prepare them and wait for the others to join. The situation is very similar to March prior to the friendlies,” he added.

The Blue Tigers are enjoying Bahrain and Belarus on March 23 and 26 respectively in two worldwide friendlies.

Fixtures:
June 8: India vs Cambodia
June 11: Afghanistan vs India
June 14: India vs Hong Kong.