India Fail To Qualify For AFC Asian Cup 2027! Blue Tigers Crash Out With 2 Games Left To Play

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 22:00 IST

Indian men’s football team exited AFC Asian Cup contention after a 2-1 loss to Singapore at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with two points from four games.

India’s men’s football team failed to qualify for AFC Asian Cup (AIFF)

The Indian men’s football team were knocked out of the race for a spot in the AFC Asian Cup after losing to Singapore 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday.

The Blue Tigers had held Singapore to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture after losing to Hong Kong 1-0 away and drawing Bangladesh 0-0 at home.

AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers: India vs Singapore – HIGHLIGHTS

Khalid Jamil’s men are still winless in the qualifying campaign and slid down to fourth (last spot) in the Group C standings with two points from four games, behind Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangladesh.

There are still two games left to play. India take on Bangladesh on November 18 away in Dhaka and end their campaign against Hong Kong at home on March 31 next year.

How India Lost To Singapore?

Lallianzuala Chhangte’s 14th-minute strike was cancelled out by Song’s equalizer in the 44th minute. Song then scored the winning goal in the 58th minute, leaving India to regret their missed chances.

The teams were tied 1-1 at the half-time break at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Singapore on October 9.

In another Group C match, Hong Kong and Bangladesh drew 1-1 in Hong Kong, a result that did not benefit India, who entered the game with two points from three matches.

India dominated the first half, enjoying most of the possession, and it was fitting that they scored the opening goal.

Chhangte received the ball some distance from the edge of the box and unleashed an excellent left-footer that beat the Singapore goalkeeper and found the back of the net.

However, Song had other plans as he struck twice on either side of the break, dashing India’s hopes.

Desperate for an equalizer, India head coach Khali Jamil made several changes, bringing Rahim Ali and Udanta Singh in for Liston Colaco and Sunil Chhetri.

Brandon Fernandes missed a great chance to restore parity for India in the 90th minute after excellent work from Udanta Singh and Rahul Bheke, but he shot wide with his weaker foot with the goal at his mercy.

Only the group winner will qualify for the Asian Cup, and Hong Kong and Singapore currently lead the table with eight points each.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

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News sports India Fail To Qualify For AFC Asian Cup 2027! Blue Tigers Crash Out With 2 Games Left To Play

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