Football
Anwar Ali suffers an injury, uncertain for India's FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Anwar Ali sustained an injury as Mohun Bagan played out a 2-2 draw against Basundhara Kings, raising concerns about his availability for the World Cup Qualifiers.
FILE PHOTO: Anwar Ali scores a goal from a header against Machhindra FC in the AFC preliminary round game on August 16, 2023, at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. (Photo credit: Mohun Bagan)
Indian national football team's centre-back, Anwar Ali, suffered a concerning injury during the AFC Cup match between Mohun Bagan and Bashundhara Kings, on Tuesday. The match, held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, took a worrying turn as Ali was forced to leave the field on a stretcher.
The incident occurred in the 92nd minute of the game when Ali endured a blow to his ankle. Immediate medical attention was provided, and he was subsequently substituted. He left the stadium with bandages visibly wrapped around his injured ankle.
As of now, the extent of Anwar Ali's injury remains unknown. This uncertainty is particularly unsettling with India's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait and Qatar scheduled for November 16 and 21. Anwar Ali's presence is crucial for the Indian national team's defence, and his injury raises legitimate concerns about his availability for this critical fixture.
Furthermore, Mohun Bagan, already dealing with a series of injuries in their defence line, faces a challenging situation. With AFC Cup and Indian Super League games on the horizon, maintaining a robust defence becomes increasingly difficult. This situation puts added pressure on the team's coaching and medical staff as they aim to navigate these competitions effectively.
