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There seems to be nothing extraordinary happening with Indian football these days that I should jot down my thoughts on them. Nothing seems to be quite exciting, really. It’s that same slow baby steps which the Federation has been taking ever since the new secretary took over in November last year. No big strides as such as far as ideas are concerned. The national team recently lost 0-3 against UAE at Al Ain last week. Another disappointment in a World Cup qualifier. I’ve grown up reading about India’s debacles in the first round. It’s a difficult path. But then is it worth taking a dip in the competitive Asian qualifiers which has 50-plus teams? I don’t think so. Many would support me as well. After all, spending huge on a project (World Cup qualifiers) which doesn’t seem to generate much revenue or interest is nothing but a huge waste of money. Is there someone in the AIFF to guide the ship? I guess, all seems to be doing a routine 10-5 job. Hardly anyone has come up with a management skill. Even the status of I-League clubs have been treated with half-hearted approach.
Now the national team is in the Capital. They will take on UAE in a home-match on Thursday. But everybody knows India doesn’t stand a chance against the Gulf nation who has somehow qualified for the second round. Despite the 3-0 loss, Armando Colaco still can press his claim to be someone who has prevented a rout. But his grouse against the referee for those two penalties which cost India the game last Saturday, however, won’t reduce our pain. The Goan coach is still praising his number one goalkeeper Subrata Pal, who was booked for his foul on the UAE player Ismail Al Hammadi in the 24th minute. Pal, many feel, was quite arrogant when he pushed Hammadi. A sharp reminder to his tempestuous goalkeeping during that ill-fated Federation Cup final against Dempo in 2004 when his outstretched fists hit the late Junior, who collapsed and died on the field.
In a nutshell, there isn’t too many interesting things happening in Indian football which surprisingly lacking a character. Besides, (Indian) football writers are now disenchanted due to the recent performances which it seems have pushed the game a few yards back.
