How can India qualify for AFC Asian Cup 2023 knockout round?

We have also assessed the worst-case scenario for India’s elevation to the AFC Asian Cup knockout round!

On January 13 (Saturday), India will face Australia in their opening game of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The Blue Tigers will take the centre stage in Asian football for the fifth time since the competition’s inception in 1956. The team played their first AFC Asian Cup in 1964, followed by the campaigns in 1984, 2011 and 2019, respectively.

Played in a round-robin format, the 1964 edition of the AFC Asian Cup saw India finish as runners-up. The crusade was won by hosts Israel and it had only four participants – one team from each zone. With wins over South Korea and Hong Kong, India finished second.

The team had to wait 20 years to qualify for the second time, and again 27 years to play in the Asian Cup for the third time. Both times, a group stage disaster awaited the Blue Tigers. India couldn’t win a game and finished last in the group with three losses in each of the campaigns.

The most recent participation in 2019 saw a competitive Indian squad. The team won their opening match against Thailand with the help of Sunil Chhetri’s brace and broke the 55-year win-drought. However, India lost the two remaining matches and got crashed out from the group stage.

This time India rea grouped with three Asian heavyweights Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria. If Igor Stimac’s men could make out of this group, it’ll be great feat. But, for now, let’s look at the possible scenarios in which the team can qualify for the knockout round of AFC Asian Cup 2023. 

How can India qualify?

The top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the knock-out rounds. Apparently, finishing in the upper two teams is the most direct way but, at the same time, the most difficult one for the Blue Tigers. 

If the team finishes third in the group, India can still make it to the next round. The four, out of six, best third-placed teams according to goal difference will make it to the round of 16. The fourth-placed teams and two third-ranked teams after the group stage will be directly eliminated.

That being said, talking about the worst scenario for Igor Stimac’s side to qualify, the Blue Tigers will need to win at least one game keeping the goal difference in check and hope the fourth-placed team does not win any game. 

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