World Cup 2018: The history of Indian football team in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

I M Vijayan was an important member of the 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

FIFA had increased their main tournament entries to 32 with 3.5 places being allocated to AFC. A total of 36 teams had participated in it, and three rounds were held to determine the qualifiers.

In the first round, the 36 teams were divided into 10 groups of 3 or 4 teams each with the group winners advancing to the final round. As far as India was concerned, they were grouped alongside Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Qatar.

All the matches were played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha from 20 September 1996 to 27 September 1996. India started the campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Philippines thanks to two late goals from IM Vijayan and Bruno Coutinho. However, India had failed to keep on the momentum and drew 1-1 with Sri Lanka, and suffered a 6-0 drubbing in the hands of Qatar.

The results meant India finished third on the group with just 4 points. Qatar, with 9 points, progressed to the next round.