India is currently trailing 0-1 against Qatar at half-time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 second round qualifier match. Despite being the underdogs, India is determined to give Qatar a tough fight. In a surprising turn of events, India held Qatar to a 0-0 draw in their previous World Cup qualifier match in 2019.
At half-time, India is trailing 0-1 against Qatar. However, Qatar’s performance has not been flawless, giving India hope for a comeback in the second half. India’s main objective will be to score a goal that could potentially change the course of the game.
During the match, India had several missed opportunities. Chhangte’s cross was deflected by Qatar and Anirudh Thapa had a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper, but his shot went wide. India finally got a chance to take a shot at the goal, but it was not successful.
Qatar also had their fair share of chances, with Mustafa Meshaal having a clear shot at the goal, but India’s goalkeeper, Amrinder Singh, made a remarkable save. Despite Qatar’s dominance, India has shown resilience and has held possession well. However, their final ball is lacking accuracy.
Sandesh Jhingan received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, and India’s possession statistics have been slightly better than Qatar’s. It is worth mentioning that India made a significant change in their starting XI, with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu being replaced by Arminder Singh as the goalkeeper.
Qatar managed to score the first goal of the match due to India’s inability to clear the ball effectively. Mustafa Meshaal was the scorer, leaving India in a state of confusion. India had a shaky start to the game, with a missed opportunity from Akram Afif and a diving header from Rahul Bheke to clear the lines.
The match is currently underway, and both teams are giving it their all. The winner of this match will have a significant advantage in their group. India’s coach, Igor Stimac, expressed confidence in his team’s abilities and believes that the home support will play a crucial role in securing a victory.
India has never advanced to the third round of AFC’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and this game against Qatar presents an opportunity to solidify their position as a formidable contender. The top two teams from each group will advance to the third round and secure qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
A win or draw against Qatar would be a remarkable achievement for India, especially considering Qatar’s recent dominant performance against Afghanistan. India will need to deliver an exceptional performance to overcome the strong opposition.
