KOLKATA: A year ago, India completed the first part of their Mission Asian Cup, managing a 1-1 draw with Afghanistan in Doha, thus ending their World Cup qualifying campaign with a third-place finish in the group. But, more importantly, they moved directly into the third round of qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup.
With Afghanistan now standing again in India’s potential march to the game’s biggest continental stage at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday, coach Igor Stimac reflected on that match, believing his team is better prepared to cross the hurdle this time.
