19th Asian Games 2023: After 38 years India enter Last 16 stage at Hangzhou

Indian Football fans found a reason to celebrate almost 3000 Kilometres away from here as Sunil Chhetri-led Blue tigers reached the Round of 16 of 19th Asian Games here at Hangzhou. India faced Myanmar in their final Group stage fixture and played out a 1-1 draw to seal their spot for the next round.

It took them almost 4 decades, (38 years) to be precise to reach the Round of 16 of Asian Games. The result would definitely make head coach Igor Stimac very happy as he had to fight for the selection of players for the Continental event.

8⃣4⃣ – Sunil Chhetri equalises the record of Ferenc Puskas by scoring eighty-four International goalṣ #IndianFotball pic.twitter.com/iim9obDWe4

— 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) June 14, 2022

Stimac initially received only 9 out of the 22 players he demanded to complete the squad but he faced a stiff challenge from Indian Super League clubs who were reluctant to release their key players at the start of the 2023/24 season.

However, given the importance of Asian Games, clubs like Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, Goa FC and Mumbai City FC released Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh, Sandesh Jhingan and Gurkirat Singh. But India only had the first 2 players available for their opening game against China which they lost 5-1. 

INDIA DRAW WITH MYANMAR | ENTER PREQ

Indian football team riding on a Penalty Goal from Sunil Chhetri went on to draw the match against Myanmar.

⏩India with 1W 1D 1L has made it ti PreQ

✨Will play Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 on 28th September #AsianGames2023 pic.twitter.com/Se0YNol5um

— IndiaSportsHub (@IndiaSportsHub) September 24, 2023

In the 2nd group match against Bangladesh, Chinglensana Singh joined Jhingan at the heart of defence with India coming out with a narrow 1-0 victory. Captain Sunil Chhetri converted a penalty in the final 10 minutes to keep India’s chances alive for Last 16.

Their 3rd and final group match against Myanmar was a match where they had to bring the A-game. And rightfully so, India produced their best performance of Asian Games 2023 but there are still areas to be covered.

While Left-winger Bryce Miranda has been the key in India’s attacking build-up, Stimac’s side still lack a lethal goal scorer or some one who can finish off the chances. Only 1 of India’s 3 goals in 19th Asian Games came from open play as Chhetri scored the other 2 goals through Penalty. The defense looked more stable against Myanmar but they conceded even on their best day.

Due to greater goal difference than Bangladesh and Myanmar, India have been able to squeeze through the Group stages of Asian Games after 38-long years. So the job is not done yet.