Kolkata: Domestic football in India seems to be going through a big turmoil and the problems only seem to increase with each passing day at the moment as the proposed roadmap of by the AIFF hasn’t pleased two of India’s historic clubs- East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, who might be not be a part of the future plans for Indian football.
If such a thing ever happens, the fans will be left heartbroken. Also, East Bengal Assistant Secretary Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta warned the AIFF saying that if these two clubs are kept out of the equation, then the following consequences might be severe.
This has turned out to be battle between these clubs and the AIFF who had put forward a proposal of organising the I-League and the Indian Super League simultaneously. This is definitely going to draw the good players to the latter as well as the audience who have shown up in good numbers in all the three editions of the cash-rich league. Virtually, the I-League now stands as a second division tournament.
So things very clearly are NOT alright in Indian football right now. But that hasn’t stopped the Men in Blue in doing their task and doing it in a dominating fashion.
Ever since they climbed up the FIFA ladder in March to become the 100th ranked team, (their highest in 21 years), they haven’t looked back. As a matter of fact, they have continued to do make the country proud quite regularly and consistently on the international stage.
Statistically, their hard-fought victory over Kyrgyzstan this week extended their winning streak to eight matches in a row, which began with their Asian Cup Qualifier victory over Laos last year, courtesy a goal from star forward Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Talking of the Kyrgyzstan match, there were talks that this match being a tough one for India who were riding high on momentum and confidence after remaining unbeaten in their last seven games. A pressure game it was and Blue Tigers delivered in style.
A stunning strike from Sunil Chettri in the 69th minute turned out to be the only difference between these two sides after Indian keeper and captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu pulled off some crucial saves to deny Kyrgyzstan a goal.
This win takes Constantine’s men takes them to the top of their group. What’s even better is that they might climb up higher in the FIFA rankings if they continue to dominate terms on the field like they’ve been doing of late.
So the domestic and the international arenas of Indian football presents two different pictures. One, a grim one with the future of two big clubs at stake. The other, a truly bright one, where there is a hope of a brighter and better future.
Under these tumultuous times in Indian domestic football, it is indeed a commendable job that the national team has been doing. One hopes that things get quicky sorted in the domestic arena and wish the national team all the best ahead of their next Asian Cup Qualifier clash against Macau on September 5.