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Igor Stimac believes that the nation sees that football in India has a bright future, after the heroic performance in the 2022 AFC U23 qualifiers. In spite of the spirited fight and finishing at second place in the group stage, the colts are unlikely to qualify for the main tournament.

India defeated Kyrgyzstan by a penalty shootout 4-2 in the final match of the Group E of the AFC U23 Asian qualifiers to finish in second place. However, they failed to qualify to the final tournament, with the four best second-placed teams after the group stages to make the cut.

The Indian U23 team scripted a memorable 2-1 win over Oman in the ongoing AFC U23 Asian Qualifiers, in Dubai to kick-start the campaign on a high. Striker Rahim Ali converted from the spot in the 6th minute, while Vikram Pratap Singh scored a brilliant goal in the 37th minute to secure the victory.

Indian national team head coach Igor Stimac, also in charge of the U23 squad for the upcoming U23 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, feels that they need to find the right balance in the team. The Indian colts are pitted alongside Oman, UAE, and Kyrgyz Republic in Group E of the qualifiers.