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With Asian Cup spot up for grabs, 'favourites' India face their moment of truth

Stimac have blown hot and cold, setting a high standard with some spectacular defensive shows against Asian powerhouses but also embracing inconsistency failing to get it over the line against relatively easier opponents. Come Wednesday, the Stimac project in Indian football will be facing its moment of truth. As India take on Cambodia to begin their campaign at the third and final round of Asian Cup qualifiers at the Salt Lake Stadium, not only a place in the game's biggest stage in the continent will be up for grabs, but it is also expected to define the team's evolution under the former Croatian World Cupper.

Sahal Abdul Samad eyes piece of history with India at AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

As the national team begins their third round of qualification for the continental showpiece against Cambodia on Wednesday, 25-year-old Sahal wants to do for football what fellow Keralites HS Prannoy and Arjun MR did for badminton when they helped India win the prestigious Thomas Cup last month. “To watch that Thomas Cup win was an inspirational moment for me as an Indian. We are really happy for them,” Sahal said.

Everyone wants to be at World Cup, Asian Cup first step towards dream: Sandesh Jhingan

Asian Cup, Indian National team defender Sandesh Jhingan believes India needs to be a regular in Asia's showpiece football tournament, to achieve the 'ultimate dream' of playing in the FIFA World Cup. Speaking on the eve of India's first match of their Group D third-round qualifier against Cambodia in Kolkata on Wednesday, Jhingan said, "Everyone wants to be at the World Cup, every football fan and player. To reach that level, we need to be regulars in the Asian Cup. I am not saying it is easy but it should mean without a doubt that India is always in the Asian Cup. That is the first stepping stone to going toward the ultimate dream."

Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri-led India Ready For 171st Ranked Cambodia

Skipper Sunil Chhetri will get a chance to bolster his tally of 80 international goals as the Indian team gears up to steamroll 171st ranked Cambodia on Wednesday in its bid to make a fifth appearance in AFC Cup tournament proper. Cristiano Ronaldo (117 goals from 188 games), Lionel Messi (86 from 162 games) have been on a scoring spree and no wonder at his level, the Indian talisman would like to ride the roughshod over Cambodia, Afghanistan (150th) and Hong Kong (147th). While no one is comparing the international levels at which they operate, briefly surpassing Lionel Messi won't be a bad feeling for the 37-year-old.

I don't look at rankings, have respect for Cambodia: Igor Stimac

Igor Stimac refused to read much into their higher ranking on the eve of the Asian Cup Qualifiers, saying it doesn't matter in present day football. Eyeing a second straight Asian Cup qualification and fifth overall, 106th ranked India start as favourites and rank way higher than their three group D opponents in Cambodia, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. "I respect every opposition.

Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri-led India look to dominate 171st-ranked Cambodia

Sunil Chhetri will get a chance to bolster his tally of 80 international goals as the Indian team gears up to face 171st-ranked Cambodia on Wednesday in its bid to make a fifth appearance in AFC Cup tournament proper. Cristiano Ronaldo (117 goals from 188 games), Lionel Messi (86 from 162 games) have been on a scoring spree and no wonder at his level, the Indian talisman would like to ride the roughshod over Cambodia, Afghanistan (150th) and Hong Kong (147th). While no one is comparing the international levels at which they operate, briefly surpassing Lionel Messi won't be a bad feeling for the 37-year-old. With the next Asian Cup slated in late 2023 or early 2024 after the pull-out of China, Chhetri, who will complete 17 years in international football, might see this tournament as the 'final frontier' in his illustrious career. "I want to qualify. If I'm not there, my country will be there. So either I'll be having a beer and watching Udanta sprint, or you having a beer and I'll be sprinting there. But we want to be there," Chhetri made his intention clear ahead of his 126th International appearance.

Always want to see India playing at Asian Cup, says 'fan' Sunil Chhetri

Asian Cup in front of the passionate fans at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, which he described as the best in India, Indian national team captain Sunil Chhetri is gearing up to take on Cambodia in their first Group D match of 2023 AFC Asian Cup third-round qualifiers on Wednesday, followed by matches against Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The Blue Tigers play on home soil for the first time in almost three years. Incidentally, the last time they played at home it was in Kolkata in October 2019.

AFC Asian Cup qualifiers: Local players Pritam Kotal, Subhasish Bose feel 'VYBK atmosphere will be a big boost'

AFC Asian Cup final-round qualifiers at a packed Salt Lake Stadium will be a "big boost" for the Indian football team, feel Pritam Kotal and Subhasish Bose, the Bule Tigers' two local players. India have matches scheduled on June 8, 11, and 14. "Kolkata is the mecca of Indian football. The fans here are great. So many clubs have dedicated fans here, and the great thing is that they all come together to cheer for India when we play as a nation in this city," said Bose. "I hope there is a lot of noise from the stands. That will boost all of us. From our end, we need to pay them back with a qualification for the AFC Asian Cup." The last time the Blue Tigers played here was in 2019, and Kotal said the team can once again feel the home advantage.

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Cambodia Sport News

With Asian Cup spot up for grabs, 'favourites' India face their moment of truth

Sahal Abdul Samad eyes piece of history with India at AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

Everyone wants to be at World Cup, Asian Cup first step towards dream: Sandesh Jhingan

Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri-led India Ready For 171st Ranked Cambodia

I don't look at rankings, have respect for Cambodia: Igor Stimac

Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri-led India look to dominate 171st-ranked Cambodia

Always want to see India playing at Asian Cup, says 'fan' Sunil Chhetri

AFC Asian Cup qualifiers: Local players Pritam Kotal, Subhasish Bose feel 'VYBK atmosphere will be a big boost'