India defeated Hong Kong in the qualifiers to top Group D and secure a second straight qualification to the AFC Asian Cup. China withdrew to host AFC Asian Cup owing to COVID-19.
With two wins from two games, Hong Kong and India take the top two spots in AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers Group D standings.
Sunil Chhetri provided India the lead in the 86th minute before Sahal Abdul Samad’s injury-time goal could seal the match for the Blue Tigers.
India will kick off their campaign in the final leg qualifiers against Cambodia (Wednesday) before facing Afghanistan (June 11) and Hong Kong (June 14).
The Indian senior men's football team is ranked 106th in the FIFA chart, 19 places below the 87th ranked Zambia. Their match takes place on May 25.
India, the 1964 runners-up, will target their fifth participation in the AFC Asian Cup. Here's how India can qualify for the China tournament.
India has qualified for Asian Cup four times so far. It finished runner-up in 1964 while in 1984, 2011 and 2019, it failed to get past the group stage.
