As they gear up for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023 here, Trevor Sinclair, the newly appointed assistant coach of the national men's football team, is mightily impressed by "hardworking, humble, enthusiastic, and talented group" that forms the Indian team.
The third edition of the Hero Intercontinental Cup will kick off with a clash between Lebanon and Vanuatu earlier in the day at the same venue.
India have been placed along with Tajikistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia in Pot 4 for the final draw for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
Notably, AIFF on Saturday said that there will be no dearth of tickets for India's matches in the Asian Cup qualifiers which was music to the ears of the country's football community.
The South and West Zones of the competition, held in a series of centralised hubs, will kick off the 2022 edition, with the Central, East, and ASEAN Zones following suit from June 24 to 30.
The AFC said in a separate statement that it appreciates that China, the CFA and the Local Organising Committee have made "this very difficult but necessary decision in the collective interests of the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
Earlier the AFC had decided to extend the deadline to file an expression of interest in hosting the tournament from 31 March to 30 June.
After three draws and a defeat, India are fourth in the Group E table with three points while Oman are second with nine points from four matches. Qatar are on top with 10 points from four matches.
Afghanistan scored through Zelfagar Nazary at the stroke of halftime before substitute Doungel headed in his first goal for India to equalise in the 93rd minute as the spoils were shared.
Winners from each of the eight groups (Group A to Group H) and the four best runner up teams from the eight groups will proceed to yet another round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
