AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: In a stellar year for Indian football, the Indian National Team remained undefeated throughout the course of the year bagging seven wins in nine international matches played in the year 2017 whilst drawing two and qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the fourth time in their history. In the process, the Indian National Team continue their unbeaten streak in 13 matches including the unofficial friendly against Bhutan which India won 0-3.

The last time India had lost was way back in March 2016 when Constantine’s boys had gone down fighting 1-2 against Turkmenistan in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Kochi. Since then, the Indian National Team has been on an upward surge, both in terms of FIFA Rankings and raking up results on the pitch.

The unbeaten streak started away from home in Vientiane, Laos where India had travelled to play an AFC Asian Cup Qualifying match. Constantine’s men came away with three points courtesy of a Jeje Lalpekhlua goal in the 56th minute of the match on June 02, 2016. Then five days later on June 07, 2016, India demolished Laos with a 6-1 thrashing.

The writing on the wall was there to see, in terms of performance, but still India had not clashed against one of the top contenders for qualification in their group, Kyrgyz Republic. Come June 13, 2017, India defeated Kyrgyz Republic 1-0, courtesy of a Sunil Chhetri goal.

However in a year from June 2016 to June 2017, India raked up impressive results. The 4-1 thrashing of Puerto Rico in September 2016 and the 1-0 win over Myanmar away from home in early 2017 were some of the highlights of that period.

Winning four of four matches of their group in the AFC Asian Cup Qualification meant that India were table toppers and were on track from qualification for the mega tournament in 2019. The qualification for the AFC Asian Cup came on a cool night in Bengaluru on October 11, 2017 when India blew Macau away 4-1 in a one sided performance led by skipper Sunil Chhetri. India had qualified for the second time in eight years for the AFC Asian Cup and fourth overall, with still a match left to spare.

The year ended in what could have been the ultimate showcase for Constantine’s boys with a 2-2 draw against Myanmar in November 2017. After trailing just 19 seconds into the match, the Indian National Team showcased hardwork and the never-die-attitude to grab a 2-2 draw, keeping intact their unbeaten streak.

At the moment, India are on a 13 match unbeaten streak and face Kyrgyz Republic in their last match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualification in March 2018 away from home.