Lallianzuala Chhangte eyes Asian qualification

The AFC Asian Cup is the pinnacle of football in the world's biggest continent, as Asia's very best turn up on the grand stage every four years, it presents an opportunity to rub shoulders with them and prove your mettle.

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Winger Lallianzuala Chhangte's first experience at the showpiece event was in Qatar last year.

Despite things not going India's way as they suffered three defeats, Chhangte proclaimed how big of a learning curve the AFC Asian Cup was for him and the entire squad, and how the Blue Tigers are taking those learnings forward as they battle for qualification for the 2027 edition.

"We were in the same group as some of the best countries in Asia (Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria). 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 that setback shaped our character and built us into better players and better human beings as well," Chhangte told the-aiff.com.

"Now, we're really looking forward to the next challenge. Right now, our main focus is to qualify for the Asian Cup again," he said.

India will play Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on June 10 in Kowloon City. Before that, the Blue Tigers will play a preparatory friendly against Thailand on June 4 in Pathum Thani.