AFC Asian Cup 2023: The Indian men's football team qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup even before they took the field for their match against Hong Kong on Tuesday when Palestine beat the Philippines 4-0 in the qualifier. This is the first time that India will be a part of back-to-back Asian Cups after qualifying in 2019 as well.
India are currently second in Group D with six points (behind Hong Kong only on goal difference) and can qualify as group winners if they win the final game or even draw. Huh. But according to the rules of the competition, they can't even be the worst of the second-placed teams. This means that India is sure to go as one of the five best group runners-up teams, if not the toppers.
Later on Tuesday (8.30 PM IST) India will play Hong Kong in their third and final match of the AFC Asian Cup Group D Qualifier to be held in Kolkata. India have already thrashed Cambodia 2-0 thanks to captain Sunil Chhetri's brilliance in his opener and Sahal Abdul Samad's moment of magic ensured a thrilling, last-gas 2-1 win against Afghanistan. India was placed in the best position to move on.
As things stand, India and Hong Kong are tied on 6 points and are through to the main event. But this match will decide the group toppers. India will be looking for an outright win as hosts and playing in front of a packed stadium in Kolkata, while Chhetri will look for his 83rd international target and Samad will look to continue where he left off against Afghanistan.
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