Igor Stimac, the head coach of the Indian national football team, feels that captain Sunil Chhetri is "playing like a 29-year-old" and remains irreplaceable for the next few years.

The 35-year-old Chhetri hasn't scored in the last three games of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. His last goal for India came in the 1-2 loss to Oman in September.

Asked if he has found any player in India who can replace Chhetri in the future, Stimac said, "I don't know why people mention about replacing Sunil,...

The Indian men's national football team played its final game of 2019 on Tuesday night, losing tamely to Oman, and effectively ending their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. 

What started as a year full of hope and excitement quickly turned into an unpredictable ride including a change of coach, memorable goals, historic results as well as heartbreaking defeats. 

There was really only one logical way to make sense of the chaotic year that was Indian football, as we put one of...

India's hopes of World Cup qualification are all but over after yet another disappointing display that saw them lose to Oman 1-0 in Muscat on Tuesday. Oman dominated the first half and failed to convert a penalty early on before taking the lead in the 33rd minute. With three draws and two losses from five games so far, India are currently fourth in the group with just three points.       

Player ratings: Oman 1-0 India

Positives

India's display improved in the second half and...

India's 0-1 defeat to Oman has virtually ruled them out of contention for further progress in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers, but the hopes of Asian Cup 2023 qualification will stay alive all through their remaining three games.

How are India placed after the latest result, and what will they need to do to ensure automatic progress to the Asian Cup qualifiers? Here's all that you need to know.

Which teams go through for World Cup qualification's next round?

There are eight groups and just 12 places...