'Well played boys' - Fans react to India's gritty display against Qatar in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

India put up a spirited performance but succumbed to the might of Qatar.

The clash between India and Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, sparked a storm of emotions among football enthusiasts, prompting a flurry of reactions on Twitter (X). Despite India's commendable effort against a superior-ranked team like Qatar, the 3-0 scoreline in favour of Qatar left fans with mixed sentiments.

India's performance draws praise amid disappointment

Amidst the disappointment, many fans lauded the Blue Tigers' spirited performance against the formidable Qatar team. Tweets flooded in, acknowledging the team's resilience and efforts, emphasizing that India held their own against a tough opponent, despite the scoreline not reflecting their valiant display.

Frustration over missed opportunities

Frustration echoed through tweets, expressing dismay over missed chances that could have altered the outcome of the match. Fans lamented India's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, highlighting that seizing these moments could have potentially turned the tide in India's favour.

Goalkeeper conundrum raises questions

One of the contentious issues causing a stir among fans was the absence of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, with Amrinder Singh taking the goalkeeper position in the match. Fans voiced their disappointment and confusion, questioning the decision behind the team selection.