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

2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers was the best one for India

The 2002 FIFA World Cup was a special one as it was the first time the World Cup was being organized in Asia. FIFA reserved 4.5 spots for the Asian nations. However, Japan and South Korea were granted automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup as they were the co-hosts. As a result, only 2.5 spots were left for the 39 competing Asian nations.

The qualification format saw two rounds of a play with an additional round between the runners-up to determine who would advance to the UEFA/AFC Intercontinental Play-off. At the first stage, the 39 teams were divided into 9 groups of 4 teams each, and 1 group of 3 teams. The teams played against each other twice, and the group winner advanced to the second round.

India was grouped alongside UAE, Yemen, and Brunei in Group 8. In their opening fixture, they defeated UAE 1-0 thanks to a 71-minute strike from Jules Alberto. However, they failed to continue their form in their next three games drawing 1-1 to Yemen, losing 1-0 to UAE, and drawing 3-3 with Yemen. In the subsequent two games against Brunei, they won 1-0 away and 5-0 at home.

Despite a wonderful performance, they finished third with 11 points. UAE finished first with 12 points and advanced to the next stage. Even Yemen finished ahead of us despite having the same points and same goal difference. This was because they scored 14 goals in the tournament and India 11. Looking back at all the previous World Cup qualifying campaigns, this was arguably India's best one.