India midfielder Anirudh Thapa has been tested positive for COVID-19

Indian Football news

One of the most important players in the Indian men’s team lineup Anirudh Thapa has been tested positive for  COVID-19 is placed under quarantine in a separate room at the team hotel in Doha.

Indian Football Team to play against Qatar in the upcoming AFC Qualifiers

Thapa was tested positive for COVID-19  a day before the national team was preparing for the game against Qatar which India lost by 0-1.

The news related to Thapa was confirmed by AIFF general secretary Kushal Das who announced this on Saturday.

“Yes, Anirudh Thapa tested positive (for COVID-19), and he is isolated (from other team members),” Kushal Das said.

The 23-year-old Chennaiyan FC player will undergo a second test in a few day’s time. He also represented the national side for more than 20 matches.

India is already out of contention when it comes to FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier but they still remain in the hunt for Asia Cup 2023 which is all set to be scheduled in China.

With three points from six matches, a winless India is No. 4 in the Group E standings.

Head Coach Igor Stimac and skipper Sunil Chhetri have to quickly regroup the side as India needs to win their remaining matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan scheduled on June 7th and June 15th respectively and confirm their berth for Asian Championship.

Indian football has been widely benefited from ISL which has grown over leaps and bounds in the last few years.