How did India fare in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers?

India were out of the Qualifiers in the first round

India finds itself at the cusp of a new qualifying campaign, with every nation aiming to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament for the 2026 World Cup. In the upcoming Asian qualifiers, India is set to face tough competition in Round 2, with primary aspirations of progressing to Round 3.

Igor Stimac, and his men face Qatar, Kuwait and Afghanistan. India is set to face Kuwait away from home on the first matchday while hosting Qatar at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on matchday 2.

In this article, we rewind to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, examining India’s journey and the challenges they faced.

Who did India face in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers?

Ranked 28th in Asia then, India was drawn into the First Round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Their adversary in this initial stage was Lebanon, a West Asian team vying for the opportunity to advance to Round 2. India was then managed by the English coach Bob Houghton while Lebanon was coached by Adnan Al Sharqi. The first leg unfolded in Saida, while the second leg took place at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa.

How did India’s qualification go?

India’s quest for a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup began with a challenging two-legged encounter against Lebanon. The first leg, played in Saida, proved to be a formidable test for the Indian team. Unfortunately, India faced a 4-1 defeat, putting them at a disadvantage early in the tie.

Sunil Chhetri gave India the shock lead in the 30th minute but Lebanon leveled the score through former Freiburg and SC Koln midfielder Roda Antar. Najmeh SC striker Mohamad Ghaddar then gave Lebanon the lead in the 62nd minute. Mahmoud El Ali scored the third in the 63rd minute for the home side to give a two goal advantage before Mohamad Ghaddar scored his second and Lebanon’s fourth goal. 

In the away leg at the iconic Fatorda Stadium in Goa, India rallied to give themselves a glimmer of hope. The match ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw, showcasing the resilience and determination of the Indian side. Despite the valiant effort in the second leg, the aggregate score favored Lebanon, concluding the tie with a 6-3 scoreline in their favor. Sunil Chhetri and Steven Dias were on the scoresheet for India while Mahmoud Ghaddar scored yet another brace for Lebanon. The loss meant that India’s qualifying campaign was over in just two matches.

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