Football: Indian National Team news ...

[rajitghosh]

The ISL is not adding any value. We need a serious re-think whether to continue with it

[prasen9]

There is no reason to shut it down. It exists. People play. Let it be. We need to figure out what targeted things we can do to improve our football team . Maybe start with why Afghans can find places in Europe to play and are able to draw with us but with a bigger population (even if we discount the below poverty line folks), better industry, maybe better infrastructure, more money, etc. we have stagnated. Is it only that they use NRIs (or NRAs) and we don't? Some amount of soul-searching and post-mortem is needed if we can't beat them at home. Or if Stimac leaves if we do not make it to round 3.

[arjun2761]

I don't think Stimac is the problem. We don't have a lot of quality on our team, so qualifying for the WC would be a real long shot for Indian team even if they advanced to the 3rd stage. Of course, would love for them to advance to the 3rd stage to at least play against better teams.

[prasen9]

I did not mean to imply in any way Stimac is the problem. Our system is the problem. We should loosen the protectionism with respect to selecting at least some PIOs, NRIs or whatever we call them. This will bootstart the system and give us a jump. Then, when our domestic football improves, we can bring back the passport protectionism again. Or not if we don't want to.

[jayakris]

So, AIFF decided to keep Stimac at least for the two remaining matches in the world cup qualifiers.
Igor Stimac to remain in charge of India's FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Kuwait and Qatar

Good decision. There was nothing to be gained from making a change now.

[jayakris]

As expected, we fell to #121 in FIFA rankings. It is more than fair, after we could not score a field goal in two matches against Afghanistan in an away-tie and a loss at home.

Indian football team drops four places to 121 in latest FIFA rankings

[Rajiv]

Thanks for the memories Sunil Chhetri.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spo ... 164661.cms

[jayakris]

Indeed. Thanks for all the memories, Sunil.

[Ealsong1965]

I'm actually looking at the over all picture, considering how our U-23 team performed in Oman, considering how our Pailan Arrows are shaping up, considering how our U-19 team is shaping up, considering how this U-16 is shaping up and the fact that they are travelling all over the world playing club teams, and considering how AIFF is setting up the academies all over India, and considering the fact that India will most likely host the U-17 world cup. That is the over-all picture.

By 2020, this U-16 team will age around 23-24. That means the seniors will be the players from Pailan arrows and U-19 team like Brandon Fernandez who was training in South Africa. If the trend continues the next couple of years of U-16 will improve and they will age around 18-20 in 2020. I’ve also recently started hanging out more on the 4rabet India (https://bettin-site-eited-out-by-mods.com/) platform, where I place bets on my favorite matches. It helps me relax after work.

So in 2020 every player on the team grew up and trained in a professional football environment and were taken care of very well by the academies and clubs. The seniors on the current team would have killed to have gotten the attention and care the U-23 (and younger) players are getting. The Indian team will be a whole different beast.

I completely agree with your views on the future of Indian football. It is clear that many steps are being taken in the right direction.

Considering how our U-23 team performed in Oman, how the Pailan Arrows players and the U-19 and U-16 teams are developing, it is clear that attention and resources are really being poured into the youth programs. Constantly traveling around the world and playing with club teams gives our young players invaluable experience.

The AIFF is really trying hard by setting up academies across India and planning for the U-17 World Cup. All these efforts create a solid foundation for the future of football in our country.

By 2020, the players of the current U-16 team will indeed be at the ideal age to perform at the highest level. This generation will be trained and prepared in a professional environment, which will make them very different from the older players who have not had the same exposure.

If the trend continues, we have every chance of seeing a completely new, strong and competitive Indian team that can compete at the world level.

[Atithee]

^^Is the previous post including the quoted text an attempt at humor?

[prasen9]

I see several first posts that are saying common sense things or platitudes towards the system. I wonder if part of the posts linking to other sites have been censored. Then, the posters are not back. Trying to say this politely without offending anyone. We love new posters joining, btw. Keep the posts coming.

[jayakris]

^^Is the previous post including the quoted text an attempt at humor?

The 2012 post was quoted only to add a betting site into that post, and act like the poster was commenting on it. We readers and mods are not dumb. Site url is edited out, and the poster has been banned permanently. Mod, Jay

[Atithee]

That was my hunch too. Thanks for your eagle eyes, Jay. Fortunately, these shenanigans are easy to spot, especially if the person joined the same day and it’s their first post.

[prasen9]

I had assumed as much but was being diplomatic in how I phrased the reply but was not sure. Thank you Jay (and other mods) for your great work in keeping this board functioning so well.

[jayakris]

Our FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait is today at 7 pm IST at Kolkata (Salt Lake stadium). Final match of Chhetri's career, I believe.