In The FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match, India and Afghanistan Drew Goallessly
India and Afghanistan drew goalless in a Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers because neither team was able to capitalize on their chances. Thursday night’s first half was an end-to-end match, with both the hosts and India having their fair share of chances to score, with Manvir Singh going close twice for his country.
As a consequence of this outcome, Kuwait, with three points from three games, dropped to second place in Group A, beneath India, who now have four points from three games.
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In both cases, the equation was very evident. Gaining the advantage would be beneficial for both teams.
Three points ahead of Kuwait, who earlier in the evening lost to Qatar 0-3, India has temporarily assumed the second position in Group A. Afghanistan is now fourth in the group after losing and drawing.
The first few minutes of play at the Damac Stadium featured a fierce midfield duel marked by many lunging challenges. Afghanistan aimed to demonstrate its strength and speed by physical force, whilst India planned to play a passing game. For the first time, Vikram Partap Singh who had made his senior national team debut in January was included in the starting lineup and proved to be a persistent pain for the Afghanistan defence.
Igor Stimac and Ashley Westwood, the managers, were a little agitated as they yelled orders from the touchline as their team, India and Afghanistan, resorted to open play. The first half saw an upsurge of attacking moves, but the strikers were unable to keep the game alive in the final third.
India went on the attack right away, which gave the Afghan defense some cause for concern. In the away leg of the joint preliminary qualification match for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the opponent would have taken an early lead if Manvir hadn’t blown a fantastic opportunity in the 17th minute.
The Indian midfield gradually started to exert more and more influence after a few early exchanges. Lallianzuala Chhangte, sprinting towards the left, came across an unidentified Manvir brandishing a low cross. However, the latter missed the mark with his shot after drifting in from the right wing.
India dominated the game, but Afghanistan continued to create opportunities, particularly while going on the counterattack. When India’s custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu cut in and launched a left-footed curler, Mosawer Ahadi was freed down the right wing and was caught with both hands. Afghanistan continued to counterattack, and their greatest scoring chance came in the 62nd minute when Omid Popalzay was set up by Rahmat Akbari’s low ball in the Indian box. However, Rahul Bheke was there to stop the Afghanistan midfielder in his tracks. Next up in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, India and Afghanistan will travel to Guwahati, where they will square off once more on March 26.
