The match between India and Qatar was a crucial one for both teams, as they looked to secure their place in the next round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026. The match was held at the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha on November 21, 2023.
India had a tough start to the tournament, losing their opening match to Oman. However, they bounced back with a win against Bangladesh in their second match. Qatar, on the other hand, had a perfect start to the tournament, winning both their matches against Afghanistan and Oman.
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The match between India and Qatar was a closely contested one, with both teams creating chances throughout the game. Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring for India in the 12th minute, but Hasan Al-Haydos equalized for Qatar in the 24th minute. The first half ended with the scoreline at 1-1.
The second half saw Qatar dominate possession, but they were unable to convert their chances into goals. India, on the other hand, defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, which was a fair result considering the balance of play.
The weather conditions for the match were sunny and clear skies with a maximum temperature of 32°C and a minimum temperature of 22°C. The humidity was around 60%, and the wind was blowing from 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. The pitch at the Kalinga Stadium was in excellent condition, and it provided a good surface for the players to play on.
Sunil Chhetri was the standout performer for India, scoring the opening goal and causing problems for the Qatar defense throughout the match. Hasan Al-Haydos was the star man for Qatar, scoring the equalizer and creating several chances for his team.
The draw means that India remain in third place in Group A, with Qatar still in first place. Oman are in second place, with Bangladesh and Afghanistan in fourth and fifth place respectively.