India's defender Sandesh Jhingan has expressed confidence in the team's abilities as they approach their AFC Asian Cup opener against Australia at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Qatar on January 13.
In Group B, India find itself alongside Australia, Syria, and Uzbekistan. Following the match against Australia, the Indian team is scheduled to face Uzbekistan on January 18 and Syria on January 23 in their last group stage encounter. The 2024 AFC Asian Cup will see Sunil Chhetri leading India's 24-member squad.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Jhingan, quoted by PTI, emphasised that the team harbours no fear of any opponent. He added that they view the competition as an opportunity to achieve something extraordinary. Notably, India's most notable performance in the AFC Asian Cup occurred in 1964, when they finished as runners-up.
"No group in the Asian Cup is easy. Of course, we've got Australia, and they need no introduction. But what we have learned in the last few years is that we must never fear any opposition. Believe in the work you do, believe in your group, and the sky's the limit for this batch. We must stay humble, keep improving, and hopefully do something special," said Jhingan.
He went on to say that the team had a fantastic 2023, demonstrating how quickly they are getting better. The Blue Tigers had a great year, winning three trophies—the Tri-Nation Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and the SAFF Championship—all played at home.
"We have been getting some great support at home, and we've had a great year, which shows how fast we are improving. Now it's all about putting in our best effort here and seeing where we can land up," Jhingan added.
To gear up for the AFC Asian Cup, the Indian team will engage in a training camp in Qatar ahead of their first match against the Socceroos. The top two teams from each group, along with the four most successful third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16 stage in the tournament.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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