India and Asian Football

India’s tryst with Asian Football

India was an erstwhile powerhouse long before the years when we were reduced to mere minnows at both club and international level.

Internationally Indian team was a decent side which had a very good presence at the continental level.

But after the Golden generation of late 70’s phased out, India has struggled to cope with the rising demands and competitiveness of the modern day game. Indian clubs perennially have been the punching bags for the big boys in AFC competitions. Exception of Mysore State club, which is now defunct, all the clubs have failed miserably at the Asian level.

Before the formation of AFC Cup, the second tier competition for Asian clubs, our local clubs found it very hard to get past the group stage. And post 2009, our top clubs like Dempo, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal etc have even failed to qualify for the Champions League.

AFC Cup is a different matter altogether as here the clubs have achieved some level of respectable success with East Bengal being the most successful club in the competition with two semifinals appearances. India was stripped of AFC Champions League slots on quite a few occasions as they were unable to meet the required criteria which all clubs have to satisfy before participating in the Champions League.

One of the main reasons for failure of Indian clubs in Asia is their dire financial situation and below par infrastructure. Many clubs in past have chosen to pass off the opportunity to participate in AFC Cup due to lack of finances required for the team while playing away games.

Many teams don’t have stadia that match AFC’s standards so they have to play their home games at a neutral venue, which not only take away their home advantage but also increase their expenses for the home games as well.

A lot has to be done if Indian clubs want to make a mark at the Asian level as our clubs still lack in the major and important departments of football administration.