<p>India and Afghanistan battled to a goalless draw in this Group A FIFA World Cup qualifier, as neither team was able to capitalize on their chances.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-541509″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-blue-tigers-miss-their-chances-to-seize-them-2024-3largeimg-1850013982-750×469.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com blue tigers miss their chances to seize them 2024 3largeimg 1850013982″ width=”932″ height=”584″ title=”Blue Tigers miss their chances to seize them 6″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-blue-tigers-miss-their-chances-to-seize-them-2024-3largeimg-1850013982-750×469.jpg 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-blue-tigers-miss-their-chances-to-seize-them-2024-3largeimg-1850013982-768×481.jpg 768w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-blue-tigers-miss-their-chances-to-seize-them-2024-3largeimg-1850013982.jpg 799w” sizes=”(max-width: 932px) 100vw, 932px” /></p>
<p>In the first half on Thursday night, the match was tight throughout, with Manvir Singh of India going close to scoring twice while the hosts also had their fair share of opportunities.</p>
<p>As a consequence, India moved up to the second position in Group A with four points from three games, ahead of Kuwait with three points from the same number of games.</p>
<p>After Kuwait’s 0–3 loss against Qatar earlier in the match, India has temporarily moved up to the second slot in the group, three points ahead of them. Afghanistan is currently ranked fourth in the group after two defeats and a tie.</p>
<p>At Damac Stadium, lunging tackles were common throughout the early exchanges of a fierce midfield struggle. India intended to play a passing game, while Afghanistan sought to establish dominance with their speed and physical attributes.</p>
<p>For the first time, Vikram Partap Singh—who had made his senior national team debut in January—was included in the starting lineup and caused the Afghans considerable headaches.</p>
<p>The forward continued to vacillate between the wing and the center, often swapping places with Manvir, which left Afghanistan greatly confused.</p>
<p>The first half witnessed a flurry of forward movements as India and Afghanistan resorted to aggressive football; however, the attackers failed to come alive in the final third, leaving managers Igor Stimac and Ashley Westwood a little upset as they yelled orders from the touchline.</p>
<p>India went on the attack right away, giving Afghanistan’s defense some uneasy moments. Manvir had many chances to score throughout the first half. The India striker had excellent opportunities to score from a corner from Chhangte and a cross that full-back Nikhil Poojary whipped in, but both went begging.</p>
