The state of football in India presents a complex narrative of ambition juxtaposed with challenges and a country that is far more focused on cricket. Despite being the world’s most populous country, India’s representation in international football remains disproportionately low compared to its dominance in cricket where they are the best if not one of the best worldwide. The country is currently ranked 102nd by FIFA – not among Asia’s top 10 sides – and continues to grapple with its footballing identity.
India’s AFC Asian Cup Performance
While expectations were low for the country coming into the tournament, nobody could have predicted just how bad they would do even if placed in a very tough group (read below). India have not managed a single win and have in fact loss every single game they have played, they have not managed to score a goal, and in three games have conceded six goals, visit Sports Loci for more information.
India’s Expectations for the Tournament?
But what were the expectations coming into the tournament in the first place you may ask? Under the guidance of coach Igor Stimac India knew they faced a challenging campaign. Grouped with higher-ranked teams like Australia, Syria, and Uzbekistan, expectations are tempered by the daunting task ahead. Stimac’s bold approach garnered praise, but his controversial remarks downplaying the tournament’s significance stirred debate. India’s focus remained simple : navigating a tough group.
Why does India struggle in Football? The Coaches Hot Take…
Following the poor performances, India’s head coach Stimac has been very vocal on the state of Indian football and some would even say very critical. Stimac noted that the performance of Indian clubs in international competitions, particularly losses to teams from Bangladesh and Maldives, reflects a lack of competitiveness at the club level. This deficiency directly impacts the quality of players available for the national team, hindering their ability to perform at a higher level on the international stage.
Stimac emphasized the lack of infrastructure and support provided to the national team by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). From inadequate preparation time compared to other participating teams to the absence of essential equipment like GPS tracking, India’s team faced significant disadvantages. This lack of resources affects training effectiveness, injury prevention, and overall performance, making it challenging to compete with better-equipped opponents. Stimac’s criticism extends to the lack of communication and support from the AIFF top brass, indicating a broader issue of mismanagement and disconnect within Indian football administration, which ultimately reflects on the team’s performance at international tournaments like the AFC Asian Cup.
His last point was one that we are very familiar with in the world of football, but Stimac made mention of the absence of key players due to injury or club-related issues further weakened India’s squad for the tournament. Without players like Ashique Kuruniyan, Jeakson Singh, and Anwar Ali, who provide stability across various aspects of the game, the team struggled to maintain competitiveness.