Anwar Ali suffered the injury while playing in an AFC Cup game for Mohun Bagan.
As the anticipation for the AFC Asian Cup next year gains momentum, Indian football fans received disappointing news with the confirmation that young defender Anwar Ali will be ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury. National team coach Igor Stimac has recently unveiled the list of 50 probables for the prestigious event, and Anwar Ali's absence is a significant setback for both the player and the team.
The setback for young Anwar occurred during Mohun Bagan Super Giant's AFC Cup group stage game against Basundhara Kings in October. The talented U-17 World Cupper, who has been a defensive stalwart for both his country and his club over the past year, sustained the injury, forcing him to miss out on the upcoming AFC Asian Cup.
However, despite Ali's absence, the Indian team demonstrated resilience in their recent FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match against Kuwait, securing a clean sheet and a victory away from home.
The news of Ali's exclusion from the probables list confirms that the defender will play no part in the upcoming tournament. His presence will undoubtedly be missed, considering his consistent performances and defensive prowess on the field.
The Indian football team is set to undergo a two-week training camp in preparation for the tournament. The camp is crucial for fine-tuning strategies, building team cohesion, and ensuring that the players are in optimal physical condition.
With the Indian Super League (ISL) scheduled to be halted on December 29th due to the national team's commitments, players will have time to focus solely on the upcoming challenges in the AFC Asian Cup as desired by head coach Stimac.
India are pitted in Group B alongside Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria and take on Australia on 13th of January at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Doha.
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