India set for training session in Dubai before World Cup qualifiers

India national football team will face Afghanistan in Dushanbe on November 14 and then square off against Oman in Muscat on November 19.

Indian football team during practice. (File Photo)

 

The Indian national football team is all set to fly out of the country on Monday night for its forthcoming Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan and Oman.

The 26-member squad will have its first overnight halt in Dubai and a have a training session on Tuesday morning before departing for Dushanbe for its first of the two World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan on November 14. The national team will then travel to Muscat to square off against Oman on November 19.

Coach Igor Stimac stated that the morning session in Dubai will prove beneficial to the team.

"We wanted to fasten the recovery process. The morning session in Dubai will also help us in a way or two before reaching Dushanbe," he mentioned prior to departure from New Delhi.

The squad had two gym sessions, and two sessions on the artificial turf in the Capital to get the players into the groove for the forthcoming challenges.

"A good sleep, proper diet and recovery are very important to stay in the right shape before we face Afghanistan. The rest in Dubai will help all shrug off the fatigue," said captain Sunil Chhetri.