Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has conveyed his best wishes to the Indian team as they kick off their AFC Asian Cup campaign on January 13.
India are placed in a group alongside formidable opponents such as Australia, who they will face in the opening match, along with Uzbekistan and Syria. This marks India's fifth participation in the Asian Cup.
The team has been receiving numerous well-wishes ahead of the tournament, with Neeraj adding his support as the latest contributor. In a video shared by the AIFF on their Instagram account, the renowned javelin thrower expressed his hope that the team's preparations have been progressing smoothly.
Neeraj encourages fans to rally behind the team throughout the tournament, emphasising the team's dedicated efforts to perform well during the campaign.
"Hello everyone, from my side I wish all the best to the Indian football team for the AFC Asian Cup. I hope your preparations are going very well and I request all Indians to support their team because they have worked very hard and will do very well. Thank you so much," said Neeraj in the video.
Coach Igor Stimac, ahead of the 2024 Asian Cup, said that India, awakening as a footballing powerhouse, will need an additional four years to break into the top 10 in Asia.
"A giant is definitely out of its slumber now," declared Stimac, before cautioning: "But I reckon it will take us another four years to enter the top 10 in Asia," said Stimac.
India's squad for AFC Asian Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh.
Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.
India's Group B fixtures at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023
January 13, 2024: Australia vs India (17:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 18, 2024: India vs Uzbekistan (20:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 23, 2024: Syria vs India (17:00 IST, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor)
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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