India played a goalless draw with Kuwait in Sunil Chhetri’s farewell game at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, thus India’s hopes for qualifying for the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification took a hit.
In Group A match, in front of 58,921 fans both teams created several scoring opportunities but neither could find the back of the net.
Indian Skipper, Sunil Chhetri retired as the fourth-highest goal-scorer in international football history, with 94 goals in 151 matches.
The Blue Tigers are currently second on the four-team Group A points table with five points from as many matches. Qatar, with 12 points from four games, are on top of the points table and have already sealed their place in the next round.
Kuwait, meanwhile, is third with four points. Afghanistan are also on four points but are fourth due to an inferior goal difference.
The top two teams from the group will qualify for the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
India will play against Asian champions Qatar in their final group game on Tuesday.
India XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Rahul Bheke, Jay Gupta, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Liston Colaco, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
