Lallianzuala Chhangte reflects on India’s AFC Asian Cup 2024 setbacks, highlighting team growth and determination as the Blue Tigers prepare for the 2027 qualifiers. Optimism, resilience, and unity define their mission ahead of the match against Hong Kong.
Indian footballer Lallianzuala Chhangte has reflected on the tough lessons learned from the AFC Asian Cup 2024, emphasizing how the experience has been a turning point for the Indian national team, the Blue Tigers, despite their string of defeats. India lost all three group-stage matches in a tough group that featured Asian heavyweights Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria.
Speaking to the-aiff.com, Chhangte said, “Even though the last Asian Cup wasn’t the best experience, individually, I learned a lot in terms of making the right decision at key moments. As a team, I believe that setback shaped our character and built us into better players and better human beings as well.”
The 27-year-old winger, who has earned 42 caps for India, remains optimistic about the future. He stressed the importance of carrying forward the lessons from the Asian Cup into their upcoming qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
“Now, we’re really looking forward to the next challenge. Right now, our main focus is to qualify for the Asian Cup again,” Chhangte said.
India will play Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on June 10 in Kowloon City. Ahead of that crucial match, the Blue Tigers will face Thailand in a friendly match on June 4 in Pathum Thani. These matches are vital in preparing the squad both tactically and mentally for the road ahead.
According to Chhangte, the morale in the Indian camp is high, especially after the recent setback against Bangladesh. “The atmosphere in the camp is really positive right now. Everyone is focused, motivated, and ready to give their best every single day. Even the staff, physios, doctors, and masseurs have been so great with us, pushing us in every way they could. The camp has a lot of energy — good and healthy competition, which is great,” he noted.
Chhangte, one of the most experienced players in the current squad, made his international debut at just 18 during the 2015 SAFF Championship. He fondly recalled scoring a brace against Nepal in only his second appearance for the national side.
“Playing for the national team is the biggest achievement for a football player. When you wear the shirt, you have to give everything. That’s what I want to do every time I come to the camp,” Chhangte expressed with pride.
With renewed determination, the Indian team looks forward to rewriting their story in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup journey.
