The Indian football team have qualified for a second consecutive AFC Asian Cup after Palestine defeated Philippines 4-0 which confirmed India’s berth.

Sunil Chhetri-led Indian football team have qualified for a second successive AFC Asian Cup after Palestine’s 4-0 win over Philippines in the AFC Cup qualification rounds on Tuesday. The Blue Tigers who currently sit in second place in group D have qualified as one of the best second-placed teams in the qualification rounds. 

India will face off against group D leaders Hong Kong on June 14 Tuesday, to determine which team wins the group, however, irrespective of whatever happens in the match between India and Hong Kong, both teams have qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2023, courtesy of Palestine’s win. 

The result meant that the Palestinians directly qualified for the 24-team finals finishing group toppers, while second-placed Philippines, with four points, were eliminated despite finishing second.

Only the winners of the six qualifying groups are sure to advance to the tournament proper, where they will be joined by the five best second-placed teams in their respective groups.

India, who are second behind Hong Kong (six points) on goal difference, have qualified ahead of their final round group D clash.

This is for the first time India have qualified for the Asian Cup in two successive editions, having made the group league exit in the 2019 edition.

Overall, India have qualified for the continental showpiece for the fifth time – 1964, 1984, 2011, 2019 and now in 2023.