Not impossible for India to advance from World Cup qualifying stage: Bhaichung Bhutia

Bhaichung Bhutia during his farewell match against Bayern Munich in 2012

India’s comfortable victory over Nepal in the first stage of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers combined with their recent rise in the FIFA rankings to 147 has led to some recent optimism about India’s chances to get close to a World Cup opportunity, and Indian footballing legend Bhaichung Bhutia has charted out a way for the Blue Tigers to make it through the second round of qualifiers.

Group D, where India have been slotted in, also consists of Iran(FIFA rank 40), Oman(FIFA rank 97), Turkmenistan(FIFA rank 131) and Guam(FIFA rank 175).

Bhutia, whose 42 goals for India was the national team record till recently overtaken by Sunil Chhetri, said at an interaction, "Obviously it's a very tough group. It's going to be tight but not impossible for India to finish second.”

The eight group toppers in the competition and the four best second-placed teams will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification, and will also qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup.

“With Iran(the highest ranked team from Asia), away matches are going to be crucial. If they try to draw those matches and play defensively away from India, they can make it possible," said Bhutia.

Results bound to come under Constantine: Bhutia

Bhutia also stressed on the need for more national team camps in the lead-up to the crucial international matches, and put faith on the influence of coach Stephen Constantine.

“Before the matches, they definitely need to camp longer with Constantine. If he gets more time with team, they can do better. When he handled India the last time, he took us up the ranking.

Constantine has vowed to take India up the FIFA rankings into the top 100 spots, and has some methods in place not tried before in Indian football.

“I have played under him, and with this team the results are bound to come,” said Bhutia.