Panaji: The Indian football team is gearing up for a Tri-Nation friendly tournament in Vietnam during the October FIFA window, as announced by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). This tournament will feature hosts Vietnam, Lebanon, and India, providing essential match practice as the teams prepare for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers next year.
This will be India's second appearance in this friendly competition, having last competed in 2022. During the 2022 edition, which included Vietnam, India, and Singapore, India secured a second-place finish behind Vietnam. In that series, India lost 0-3 to Vietnam and drew 1-1 against Singapore. This time, India aims to deliver a better performance.
Like India, Vietnam and Lebanon did not qualify for the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026. This makes the upcoming Tri-Nation Friendly Tournament crucial as it provides valuable match exposure and an opportunity for the teams to assess their readiness and refine their strategies.
The teams are closely matched in the FIFA rankings, with Vietnam ranked at 116, India at 124, and Lebanon at 117. This close ranking ensures highly competitive matches in the tournament.
The Tri-Nation Series is important for several reasons. Firstly, it provides much-needed playing time for the Blue Tigers outside the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. International friendlies allow coaches to experiment with tactics, formations, and player combinations. This is essential for building team chemistry and identifying areas for improvement ahead of crucial qualifiers.
The Blue Tigers will be keen to refine their strategies and identify their strongest starting eleven. The Tri-Nation Series offers a valuable platform to assess individual and collective performances under pressure, providing essential data for the new coach to analyze.
India's participation comes at a time of transition, as the team is currently without a head coach following the dismissal of Igor Stimac after a series of disappointing results. The search for a new coach is underway, and the Tri-Nation Tournament will serve as an important preparatory ground for whoever takes the helm
