Dive into the fascinating journey of India in the AFC Asian Cup, a football competition they’ve been part of five times since 1956.
From their debut in 1964 to the recent showdown in 2019, this adventure unfolds with highs like a historic runner-up finish and lows like facing tough challenges.
Let’s let’s take a look at the story of the Men in Blue on the Asian football stage.
Without wasting too much time, let’s begin.
Indian History At The AFC Asian Cup
India has participated in the AFC Asian Cup five times since its establishment in 1956, specifically in 1964, 1984, 2011, 2019, and 2023.
During their debut in the 1964 Asian Cup, India achieved their best performance, finishing as runners-up 55 years ago.
The team secured a direct spot in the finals due to the withdrawal of several Western Zone teams for political reasons.
After missing out on the FIFA World Cup for 14 years, India, led by English coach Harry Wright, had the chance to showcase their talent on the Asian football stage.
The 1964 edition, played in a round-robin format, saw hosts Israel emerge as champions with only four participating teams, one from each zone.
India secured second place by defeating South Korea and Hong Kong, with Inder Singh becoming the team’s top scorer with two goals.
After a 20-year wait, the team qualified for the finals again. However, their return was marred by a group-stage disaster for the Men in Blue.
In the 1984 tournament, the 10 participating teams were split into two groups, and India found themselves in Group B with China PR, Iran, UAE, and Singapore.
Unfortunately, India faced three defeats and managed only a goalless draw against Iran, earning just a single point.
Saudi Arabia emerged as champions by defeating China PR in the final. Krishanu Dey, part of Serbian coach Milovan Ćirić’s India national team, experienced the challenge of competing against powerhouses like China PR and Iran.
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AFC Asian Cup History and More (Everything You Need to Know)
India’s participation in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar marked their third and most recent continental campaign.
The team secured qualification by winning the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, where a Sunil Chhetri hat-trick and a goal by Bhaichung Bhutia led India to victory over Tajikistan in the final, earning them a spot in the Asian Cup after 27 years.
Placed in Group C from Pot 4, the team faced a tough challenge, losing all three group games without earning any points.
The journey included a 4–0 defeat by Australia in the group opener, a 2–5 loss to Bahrain with goals from Gouramangi Singh and Chhetri, and a 1–4 defeat by South Korea, where Chhetri’s first-half spot-kick was the team’s only consolation.
After an eight-year gap, the India national team secured qualification for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and prepared to journey to the UAE with head coach Stephen Constantine.
They started the tournament on a high note, winning their opening match against Thailand with Sunil Chhetri’s brace, ending a 55-year winless streak.
Unfortunately, despite the initial success, India couldn’t maintain the momentum and suffered defeats in the two subsequent matches, leading to their elimination from the group stage for the third consecutive participation.
Conclusion
And there you have it – a journey through India’s soccer history in the AFC Asian Cup. From their standout performance in 1964 to their recent efforts in 2019, it’s been a rollercoaster of wins, losses, and memorable moments. The Men in Blue continue to leave their mark on the Asian football stage, promising more exciting chapters in the tournaments to come.
FAQs about India’s History at the AFC Asian Cup
Q1: When did India first participate in the AFC Asian Cup?
Ans: India made its debut in the AFC Asian Cup in 1964.
Q2: What was India’s best performance in the AFC Asian Cup?
Ans: India achieved its best performance by finishing as runners-up in the 1964 Asian Cup.
Q3: How did India qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, and how did they fare?
Ans: India secured qualification by winning the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup. Despite a strong start, they faced elimination in the group stage of the 2019 tournament.
