India’s senior men’s national team defeated the higher-ranked Kyrgyz Republic 2-0 to win the Tri-nation cup in front of packed support in Manipur. This was a winning start to their preparation for the Asian Cup next year ahead of a busy schedule in 2023. The AIFF has decided to give maximum game time to the national team by hosting several competitions as well as traveling to fellow countries to participate in their tournaments. The Blue Tigers will have a lot of opportunities to be in their best shape for Asia’s top international event in Qatar.
Although the board has backed Igor Stimac with a lot of international games, they have not given him the clearance to have a four weeks break for the Asian Cup as requested by the head coach. AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran said the international windows are the ideal time for the national team to get exposure and competitive experience without disrupting the calendar. That means the leagues in India are unlikely to be disrupted due to national team commitments. The clubs have major stakes in the league and they will not want to disturb it with a very limited window in hand.
Performances in the Tri-nation friendly
India got what they wanted in hosting the Tri-nation friendly in Manipur by getting the maximum support, testing their squad depth by handing a lot of national team debuts and having a trophy at the end to cap off a brilliant start to 2023. The Blue Tigers obtained wins in both the games against Myanmar (1-0) and the Kyrgyz Republic (2-0) to claim the title without conceding a single goal. Consecutive clean sheets from Stoimac’s side who extended their victory run at home to five straight games. The tournament was vital for the team to boost their FIFA rankings and India managed to climb three spots to be ranked 103 in the men’s ranking by winning the Tri-nation cup.
FIFA Rankings update March 2023 for several countries which are requested by followers. pic.twitter.com/ImJqnEG9nP
Busy Schedule for the Men’s team
The senior men’s team will be involved in a lot of games this year. After the success in the first international window, national team action will take a rest but the players will get involved in playing the sport again as club football resumes with the Super Cup in Kerala next week. They will assemble again in May after the final of the competition on April 25 and the AFC club competition qualifiers to be played in between. Hence, it will be a short season break.
Check out the Indian Football Calendar for the year 2023
Inter-Continental Cup
The next big tournament for India’s senior men’s team will be in two months’ time with the Inter-Continental Cup returning after two years. The third edition of the tournament will be played in June with four nations participating including the hosts India. The national team will play a nation from Africa, Asia and one from any other confederation like the previous editions.
SAFF Championship 2023
Straight after the Inter-Continental Cup, the SAFF Championship will get underway in Bangalore. The host city was announced by AIFF in March 2023 with Sree Kanteerava Stadium as the venue for all the games. This will be the last knockout tournament for India on home soil. The Blue Tigers won this competition back in 2021 defeating Nepal in the final. It was their eighth title.
Asian Games
While not the full national team, the U-23 players and three over-age players will travel to China for the 2023 Asian Games. Alongside fighting for the medal, it will also be a necessary experience for the youngsters to play in a continental competition before getting mixed with the senior team for other major tournaments. The Games will be played in September.
King’s Cup
India will also participate in the King’s Cup organized by Thailand as part of their preparation for the 2024 Asian Cup. It is a historical tournament that started way back in 1958 and had some top nations and stars of the world competing in it. The exact dates of the King’s Cup are not decided yet.
Merdeka Cup
Malaysia FA have invited India to participate in the revived Merdeka Cup in October 2023. The competition was last held in 2013. Blue Tigers’ participation in this tournament dates back to the 1960s with Indian football legends like PK Banerjee and Tulsidas Balaram taking part in it. India also finished runners-up twice in 1959 and 1964. Along with them, Palestine and Lebanon will play the four-nations Merdeka Cup alongside the hosts Malaysia. Igor Stimac’s side will also be able to get the opportunity to play higher-ranked opposition to ready themselves for the Asian Cup.
2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers
Before Asia’s biggest international competition starts, India will play the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in November 2023. There will be two sets of the qualifying game in that month and the last piece of preparation before the national team heads to Qatar. The hope will be they are able to gain enough positive results by then to move to the Asian Cup in high spirits.
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