Newly appointed captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to take inspiration from famous India vs Qatar clash in 2019

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian football team following Sunil Chhetri’s retirement. Sandhu, who has been a stalwart in goal for India, led the team in a memorable match against Qatar in 2019 during Chhetri’s absence. India will take inspiration from the game four years ago when they face the same opponents in a 2026 FIFA World Cup second-round qualifiers match at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on June 11.

On the successor to the captain’s armband, Stimac stated that it was an easy decision to give it to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu for Tuesday’s encounter. With 71 caps, the 32-year-old is currently the most experienced and longest-serving player in the national squad, after Chhetri’s departure. For the Blue Tigers, a result is a must. Should they lose against Qatar, they will be eliminated from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers third round. 

On paper, Tintín Márquez’s Qatar are ranked 34 in the world. India are 121. However, the goalless draw in the World Cup Qualifiers in Doha back in 2019 was one of Indian football’s most famous results in recent times. It was only a few months before that Qatar had put three past Japan to lift the Asian Cup trophy. But on that evening at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, despite trying every trick in the book, they could not breach the Indian wall called Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

What happened in India vs Qatar in 2019

In that 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Sandhu showcased his exceptional goalkeeping skills, helping India secure a surprising and hard-fought 0-0 draw against the Asian champions. The match, held at Doha’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, saw India withstand relentless pressure from Qatar, who dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities.

Sandhu’s leadership and resilience were on full display as he made several crucial saves to deny Qatar. The Indian defense, led by Sandhu, held firm despite Qatar’s 27 attempts on goal. Sandhu’s performance was particularly noteworthy, making him the hero of the match. His standout saves, including a diving effort to tip over a long-range strike from Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos, were pivotal in keeping India in the game.

Throughout the match, India’s defensive unit, including Sandesh Jhingan and Adil Khan, complemented Sandhu’s efforts with timely interceptions and clearances. Despite the heavy pressure, India managed to hold their ground and earn a valuable point against a superior opponent.

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For the Blue Tigers, securing a result against Qatar is essential. A loss will eliminate them from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers third round, redirecting them to the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers third round for a chance at the 2027 tournament in Saudi Arabia.

However, if India triumphs over Qatar, they will lead the race to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers third round and secure a direct spot in the AFC Asian Cup, owing to their superior goal difference over Afghanistan. In case of a draw with Qatar, India will advance to the third round only if the Kuwait-Afghanistan match, starting two hours later in Kuwait City, also concludes in a draw