In today’s FIFA World Cup qualifier game against Asian champions Qatar, the Indian football team fought tooth and nail to secure a 0-0 draw and gain a valuable point.
Now, a draw might not seem like much when you are used to watching the La Liga or the Premier League, but out here today, it definitely did. This keeps our World Cup hopes alive. Doesn’t matter how much the odds are against us, this keeps us in play.
Mind you, India is ranked at 103 in the FIFA world rankings while Qatar seats comfortably at 62.
What these men did today took guts. Did you see that save from captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu? That ball had been smashed and it was going in, if not for Sandhu. And he did it again in a matter of minutes.
Mind you, Qatar has 27 shots on target today. And Sandhu was there to save them all.
In comparison to the 27 shots, India managed only 2. The Qataris had way more possession over the ball than India had and they had every right to go home with a victory. Hell, they deserved to win.
But they didn’t. Which makes Twitter very, very happy.
Dear India, THAT is my team and THOSE are my boys! Cannot describe how proud I am at this moment. Not a big result for the table, but in terms of a fight, as big as it can get. Huge credit to the coaching staff and the dressing room. #QATIND
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) September 10, 2019
#Qatar2022 #Indvsqatar
— S{air}am (@weloveourlungs) September 10, 2019
Football… @GurpreetGK ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/emIueGaz6i
We’ve drawed against Asian champions.
— Vedant Vyas (@vdntvyas) September 10, 2019
That too without our legend Sunil cheteri. There’s the #BlueTigers roaring in Doha.@IndianFootball #IndVsQatar
What a match #indvsqatar
— GOYAL SAAB (@yatingoyal1994) September 10, 2019
Incredible defence.
Gurpreet you beauty
Such a resolute performance from Indian defence. It is so heartening to see this kind of performance. #IndvsQatar #IndianFootball
— Kunal D Saikia (@kunaldsaikia) September 10, 2019
Point against Qatar. Well played India!! Missed the legend Chettri. What a captains game by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.. #savioursandhu #fifaworldcupqualifiers #doha #indvsqatar
— ಮಂದಣ್ಣ Rahul 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@rahul_mandanna) September 10, 2019
A night to remember for blue tigers.
— Atul (@nomadic_insane) September 10, 2019
Congratulations @IndianFootball
We missed you sir @chetrisunil11 get well soon.#INDvsQatar #FIFAWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/i9bRshltTM
Definitely a night to remember ! We’ve never enjoyed our team win 1 point so much before. Your boys fought till the end for a goalless draw! Totally deserve all the appreciation 🔥👌🏻🧤💎#BlueTigers 🐯 #QATIND #WCQ #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball ⚽
— Desi2wins (@Desi2wins) September 10, 2019
Courageous display by the Blue Tigers. Playing without their talisman Sunil Chhetri against Asian Champions Qatar in Doha, @IndianFootball will return home with a point. @GurpreetGK
— Joy Das (@joy_das21) September 10, 2019
was enormous. Massive result.#indvsqatar
What a defence that was @IndianFootball 🤙🏻🤙🏻 pls keep calm with this team. There are in right direction. Come on India🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 #indvsqatar
— Gokul (@gokul02121992) September 10, 2019
I was overwhelmed when India’s fans rose as one to acknowledge @GurpreetGK after the match. Thank you, custodian. You not only earned a point for @IndianFootball but also respect. @chetrisunil11
— T.N. Raghu (@tnrags) September 10, 2019
What a moment. 🇮🇳#QATIND #IndianFootball Gurpreet Singh Sandhu ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xqD72CuJcM
— Indian Football FIFA WC 2022 (@IndianF56728874) September 10, 2019
Someday we’ll be telling our kids how a bunch of Indian footballers ranked 103 in the world went to Doha and held the Asian Champions 0-0 at their very fucking home. A night to remember in Doha #IndianFootball
— Tushar (@ItsTSYouKnow) September 10, 2019
. @GurpreetGK be like 👇 🤣🙏 #QATIND #indianfootball @BluePilgrims @fni pic.twitter.com/CCERLM9JmK
— CONRAD BARRETO (@conradbeckham) September 10, 2019
Every single person associated with #IndianFootball can be proud today, from coaches to the players, to the thousands working behind the scenes in distant football fields across India to the fans who have stood by this team take a bow You have earned it #QATIND #FootballUnited
— Maurya Mondal (@mauryamondal) September 10, 2019
India’s next game in the World Cup qualifiers is against Bangladesh on the 15th of October.
