How can India still qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Round of 16?

India are currently bottom-placed in AFC Asian Cup 2023 Group B.

In the journey of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup, India find themselves in a precarious position after suffering defeats in their first two encounters against Australia and Uzbekistan. With two losses in the bag, India’s hopes of securing a top-two finish in Group B have dwindled. The upcoming clash against Syria is not just a matter of pride; it’s a ‘do-or-die’ scenario that will decide the fate of the Blue Tigers in the prestigious tournament.

Tournament up until now

The first setback came in the form of a hard-fought battle against Australia, where India succumbed to a 2-0 defeat. Despite putting up a valiant effort, the team fell short against the higher-ranked opponent. The second blow followed against Uzbekistan, amplifying the challenge for India. The 3-0 loss highlighted areas of improvement.

Penultimate game against Syria

As India prepare for their ultimate group-stage clash against Syria on 23rd January, the equation is clear – a win is a must. Anything less would result in an early exit from the tournament. However, even a victory against Syria might not be sufficient for India to secure a top-two finish in Group B.

The table standings indicate that Australia and Uzbekistan have positioned themselves favourably to clinch the top spots, making it a challenging task for the Blue Tigers to climb to the summit.

Qualification Scenario

To keep their AFC Asian Cup dreams alive, India must not only secure a win against Syria but also depend on external factors. The qualification scenario hinges on India finishing as one of the four best third-placed teams among the six groups.

The permutations and combinations are complex, and every goal, point, and result in other groups can influence India’s fate. It’s a scenario where not just a win, but the margin of victory against Syria becomes crucial in determining their standing among the third-placed teams.

For India to reach the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Round of 16, the scenario involves:

• India defeating Syria in the last match.
• China losing to Qatar in Group A. (Qatar won Group A, Tajikistan finished second with 4 points and China finished third with two points)
• A draw between Palestine and Hong Kong in Group C.
• Indonesia (Vs Japan) losing their match in Group D.
• Bahrain (vs Jordan) losing their match in Group E.
• A draw between Oman and Kyrgyzstan in Group F.

Potential ranking of the top four 3rd place teams:

1. Bahrain – 3 points
2. Indonesia – 3 points
3. India – 3 points
4. Several teams tied

(The Qualification scenario will be updated as the tournament progresses)

Last Updated after Group A final fixtures on 22 January 2023

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