FIFA suspends All India Football Federation due to ‘third party influence’

[OMB]

Football: UAE outclass India 6-0 international friendly

With star striker Ali Mabkhout scoring a superb hat trick, the UAE turned on the heat, dismantling India in clinical fashion as they registered an emphatic 6-0 victory
For the record, this was an international friendly. But the UAE showed no mercy to the hapless Indian national football team on Monday.

With star striker Ali Mabkhout scoring a superb hat trick, the UAE turned on the heat, dismantling India in clinical fashion as they registered an emphatic 6-0 victory at the Zabeel Stadium.

This was also the UAE’s biggest ever win in international football over India – a team that had impressed with their resilience only a few days ago in a 1-1 draw with Oman.

But on Monday, they had no answer to the Ali Mabkhout’s brilliance in the final third.

Such was the UAE’s dominance that Igor Stimac's India team did not even get a single shot on target in one of the most forgettable encounters in recent times.

Striker Ali Mabkhout’s three goals came in the 12th, 32nd and 60th minutes while Khalil Ibrahim (64th) and Fabio Lima (71st and 84th) added the other three.

The gulf in the class and technical superiority was all too apparent, though India were without their talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri, who is recovering from Covid-19 infection.

Key defender Sandesh Jhingan was also rested as Stimac experimented with new players in his big 27-member squad.

The draw against Oman had given a lot of hope to the Indians who are at 104th in Fifa chart against the 74th ranked UAE.

But it turned out to be one of the most mediocre shows by any Indian side against the UAE.

It turned out to be the heaviest defeat against the UAE, obliterating the 0-5 loss in an international friendly in 2010 in Abu Dhabi.

Stimac said just before the match that his players should be able to make quick decision against a much superior and technically better opponents.

His players did nothing, rather they were not allowed to do anything as the UAE toyed with the Indians and created chances almost at will.

The Indians were not allowed to hold the ball and all the Stimac's men did were to chase for most part of match.

The UAE had 67 per cent possession in the first half during which Ali Mabkhout chipped one over Indian goalkeeper and captain, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and then scored from the spot after Adil Khan handled the ball inside the box.

The second half was no better for India, unlike against Oman when they fought back to equalise, as UAE laid bare the utterly porous Indian defence to pump in four more goals.

After Ali Mabkhout completed his hat trick at the hour mark, Khalil Ibrahim made a fine finish with a first-time shot in the 64th minute to make it 4-0 before Fabio Lima completed the rout with two more goals in the 71st and 84th minute.

India's only noteworthy move came just before half-time when Liston Colaco, who made his debut on Monday, found Manvir Singh with a superb through ball but the striker's shot was blocked by the onrushing UAE keeper.

Bert van Marwijk, the head coach, was delighted with the UAE performance ahead of the team’s crunch World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers in June.

The Whites go into the qualifiers in June facing a must-win situation in their remaining four matches in Group G to enter the third qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup. (With inputs from PTI)

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/football/football-uae-outclass-india-6-0-international-friendly

 

[OMB]

My morning routine : Newspaper and Tea.
and this is what the newspaper came up with.
Why is it that a nation of billion plus people has nothing worthwhile to show in football?

Why is India so poor in Football?

 

[Varun]

Because it's not interesting enough for large parts of our population to actually start playing it competitively.

Once you get hooked onto test cricket, these 2-bit games don't matter.

 

[Mamoon]

They have started investing in and focusing on football over the last 2-3 decades. It will take a long time before they can compete with countries that have a long history of football heritage.

The UAE football team is younger than the Indian one but football is the most popular sport in UAE and they have invested heavily from the beginning.

India will qualify for the World Cup in the next 30-40 years. Major European clubs are investing in Indian football and there will be considerable talent development over the next few decades.

They will also host a World Cup. They hosted the U17 World Cup 2017.

The future for Indian football is very bright.

 

[IndoorCricket]

Obviously no one is interested in it. Once it gains momentum we would be as good as we are in cricket.

 

[King-Misbah]

They have started investing in and focusing on football over the last 2-3 decades. It will take a long time before they can compete with countries that have a long history of football heritage.

The UAE football team is younger than the Indian one but football is the most popular sport in UAE and they have invested heavily from the beginning.

India will qualify for the World Cup in the next 30-40 years. Major European clubs are investing in Indian football and there will be considerable talent development over the next few decades.

They will also host a World Cup. They hosted the U17 World Cup 2017.

The future for Indian football is very bright.

Yes, very bright ��

Funny how your willing to give Indian football a few decades. Yet pounce on anything Pro Pakistan and are extremely negative.

 

[King-Misbah]

Obviously no one is interested in it. Once it gains momentum we would be as good as we are in cricket.

Don't think you can make spin friendly wickets in football pal or dictate other nations.

 

[Mamoon]

Yes, very bright ��

Funny how your willing to give Indian football a few decades. Yet pounce on anything Pro Pakistan and are extremely negative.

No comparison between India and Pakistan.

India is a huge market, there is a lot of FDI, they have already hosted important football tournaments and have some excellent stadiums. Moreover, it has good global reputation.

Pakistan has none of them above except a huge market.

When Pakistan builds proper football stadiums and gets hosting rights for junior FIFA tournaments, we can start talk about its future in football.

 

[Varun]

Don't think you can make spin friendly wickets in football pal or dictate other nations.

Yeah, all turfs and balls are the same.

The sport is so characterless.

Similar reason why hockey lost its appeal in India and Pakistan.

 

[OMB]

They have started investing in and focusing on football over the last 2-3 decades. It will take a long time before they can compete with countries that have a long history of football heritage.

The UAE football team is younger than the Indian one but football is the most popular sport in UAE and they have invested heavily from the beginning.

India will qualify for the World Cup in the next 30-40 years. Major European clubs are investing in Indian football and there will be considerable talent development over the next few decades.

They will also host a World Cup. They hosted the U17 World Cup 2017.

The future for Indian football is very bright.

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] - this is what I heard 7 or 8 years ago and much as I like to believe this, the only improvement in gameplay has been due to the new imports from South America and Africa into the country. At club level things have definitely improved but at national team it is still mediocrity at all levels.

Quality of game? There have been some good games to watch in Hero super league and I saw some really spectacular goals and assists by both Indians and foreign players. Why none of this improved skills being transferred to the national team?

Not that the money isn't there. The money and interest has started percolating to the club football scene but there is no grassroot level setup being organized. It starts with Indian Super League with some TV rights and sponsorship deals and reflects in some exceptional player and teams performances. It dies down with ISL.
We don't have clubs like Juventus and Barca identifying 8 to 12 yrs olds and training tracking their progress. Wish things could improve at a faster rate.

 

[Slog]

Obviously no one is interested in it. Once it gains momentum we would be as good as we are in cricket.

It’s the main sport for over a 100 million Indians

 

[OldWarHorse]

Grassroots level coaching is there in only a few pockets. Kids need to start young, around when they are 5-8 year olds, ours start much later. Thats a big gap to make up. We cant compete at consistent level in Asia without that where countries are spending massively on infra and academies.


The league is somewhat ok and has brought much needed professionalism and fitness standards have gone up. But Indians are mostly there as support cast. Quite simply we are playing catch up.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The question can be extended to why is India so poor in a vast majority of sports bar cricket and to some extent hockey.

India finished joint 67th with Mongolia in the 2016 summer Olympics with 1 silver and 1 bronze.

The simple truth is except for cricket most parents do not see any other sport as a viable way to make a good livelihood for their kids - so they do not choose to invest their meagre resources. Exceptions are chess, tennis, badminton, hockey to some extent.

 

[IndoorCricket]

It’s the main sport for over a 100 million Indians

Comparatively speaking, Cricket is played by every kid at one point in their life in India. The folks who play football are concentrated in few states and people from well off families. Again this is from my personal experience.

 

[King-Misbah]

No comparison between India and Pakistan.

India is a huge market, there is a lot of FDI, they have already hosted important football tournaments and have some excellent stadiums. Moreover, it has good global reputation.

Pakistan has none of them above except a huge market.

When Pakistan builds proper football stadiums and gets hosting rights for junior FIFA tournaments, we can start talk about its future in football.

Its not only about football but your general negativity towards anything Pakistani. Yet again, your willing to give India a few decades but not even a complete term to the current Pakistani government. It really shows your true colours.

 

[Greenstorm]

South Asian's are probably the worst footballers. Its not in our DNA.

Even in Pakistan, most talented footballers lie west of Indus.

 

[Mamoon]

Its not only about football but your general negativity towards anything Pakistani. Yet again, your willing to give India a few decades but not even a complete term to the current Pakistani government. It really shows your true colours.

I am willing to give India a few decades because the foundations for their footballing success are there which I have listed above.

If Pakistan shows promise in any department, I will show positivity as well. However, that is not the case. There is nothing to be positive about.

The current government is totally out of its depth and is clueless. Their only achieving is chopping & changing a dozen ministers every 6 months because the government has no idea what they are doing and where they are heading.

It is not a situation where you can be positive.

 

[hitthestump]

Obviously no one is interested in it. Once it gains momentum we would be as good as we are in cricket.

Football is far too physical for Indians. Despite decades in Western countries very few Pakistani's have come up to professional levels through grass roots and practically zero Indians i believe.

 

[Itachi]

It’s the main sport for over a 100 million Indians

Compared to the whole population, 100 million is nothing.

 

[Itachi]

Football is far too physical for Indians. Despite decades in Western countries very few Pakistani's have come up to professional levels through grass roots and practically zero Indians i believe.

May be some meat will change it?

 

[Local.Dada]

Football is far too physical for Indians. Despite decades in Western countries very few Pakistani's have come up to professional levels through grass roots and practically zero Indians i believe.

That’s such a sterotype thing to say, do you think no strength, endurance and physical attributes are required for badminton, wrestling, boxing in which India has been winning medals in the last 2 Olympics or dominating in commonwealth and Asian games ?

Before someone starts off with Indias population to medals ratio, yes India doesn’t have a sporting culture but it is remarkable that we are standing out even in physical sports while people are still debating the benefit of eating beef vs eating daal in 2021, unbelievable.

To win medals and compete you need a sports culture, funding and expert trainers and coaches. We don’t have much for any of those for football/soccer.

If you look at the ones where we are gaining some traction: badminton, wrestling and tennis to a very small extent, it is because individuals like Mr.Phogat or Gopichand or families that are invested in it like Amritraj family or Bindra (gold medal winner)

You can find a Usain Bolt level athlete running up and down the rugged terrains of KPK, built like a soldier from Ghazni’s army who consumes camel meat for lunch,cow for breakfast and 2 goats for dinner, it won’t mean much when he is competing in Olympics against much “inferior” athletes.

The soccer fans in India are from urban centers who like to “talk” and “tweet” about soccer but no one can last running a lap in the soccer field. The ones who play it are from the more lower sections of the society and they are not playing it with the intensity like they do with cricket because there is no real
Career there.

It’s pretty straightforward, not a rocket science.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

It has nothing to do with interest. Indians just don't have the stamina to play sports like these. It is one of the most cheapest and affordable sport to play yet we are minnows in this sport. You will find lots of Indian youngsters wearing jerseys of clubs like Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barca or Real Madrid but you will hardly see them following Indian football leagues.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It’s the main sport for over a 100 million Indians

No its not. Its mainly popular in Bengal Goa Kerala and north east. Except north east its second to Cricket in Bengal Goa and Kerala.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Football is far too physical for Indians. Despite decades in Western countries very few Pakistani's have come up to professional levels through grass roots and practically zero Indians i believe.

Indians win olympic medal in physical sports like boxing and wrestling.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Indians win olympic medal in physical sports like boxing and wrestling.

How many have we won so far?

 

[Local.Dada]

How many have we won so far?

5 in wrestling, 2 in boxing

Also won 2 medals In Badminton

1 in powerlifting that too in women’s category

Not bad for supposedly being weak and malnourished isn’t it?

What exactly is your point?

 

[hafeezrocks]

5 in wrestling, 2 in boxing

Also won 2 medals In Badminton

1 in powerlifting that too in women’s category

Not bad for supposedly being weak and malnourished isn’t it?

What exactly is your point?

Medals in Badminton shows power and strength ? Lol . What is badminton now ? Some tough sport like Rugby.

It's considered a girly Sport played by mainly orientals.

 

[Local.Dada]

Medals in Badminton shows power and strength ? Lol . What is badminton now ? Some tough sport like Rugby.

It's considered a girly Sport played by mainly orientals.

Have you tried playing badminton at any level or did you just pull that statement from somewhere?

Next time try this, try playing badminton with a junior player even if she is a girl, they will make you run in circles that you will be gasping for breath and wishing you went back behind a computer to make bravado statements.

I have played badminton at a decent level and as someone who has played it I can clearly deduce from your post you have never held a racquet even at a gully level badminton game under lights just for giggles.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

5 in wrestling, 2 in boxing

Also won 2 medals in Badminton

1 in powerlifting that too in women’s category

Not bad for supposedly being weak and malnourished isn’t it?

What exactly is your point?

The way joshila was saying it I thought we had won 20 medals in Wrestling and 15 in boxing. We have won just 9 gold medals in Olympics so far out of 28. We first appeared in Olympics in 1900. That's almost 120 years lol.

Gold - 9
Silver - 7
Bronze - 12

Don't know about you but I find it pretty embarrassing for a country like India which has no shortage of talent winning just 28 medals so far. It's mosty due to poor food habits and lack of physical education alongwith third class sports facilities and organisations.

 

[KillerBee]

India will eventually get better due to their league system improving every year and their shear population. No hope for Pakistan in comparison.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

China on the other hand has won 608 medals

Gold - 237
Silver - 195
Bronze - 176

And here we have people who don't have any problem with India winning 5-7 medals lol. Some people have such low standards that they are happy with pathetic stats like these.

 

[Local.Dada]

The way joshila was saying it I thought we had won 20 medals in Wrestling and 15 in boxing. We have won just 9 gold medals in Olympics so far out of 28. We first appeared in Olympics in 1900. That's almost 120 years lol.

Gold - 9
Silver - 7
Bronze - 12

Don't know about you but I find it pretty embarrassing for a country like India which has no shortage of talent winning just 28 medals so far. It's mosty due to poor food habits and lack of physical education alongwith third class sports facilities and organisations.

So if there are lack of physical education, nutrition sports facilities and organizations, how are they the athletes fault?

Everyone here acknowledges that SC has poor
Sports culture.

Despite that If Indian athletes are winning these medals shouldn’t they be applauded?

The point is it is not lack of talented athletes but a lack of culture when it comes to sport

Some African countries only win medals in marathon or something all the time, that’s a reflection of their sports culture of their country.

India is doing well in cricket, has come a long way in wrestling, shooting and badminton and only getting better with more interest.

What are you whining about again ?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

So if there are lack of physical education, nutrition sports facilities and organizations, how are they the athletes fault?

Everyone here acknowledges that SC has poor
Sports culture.

Despite that If Indian athletes are winning these medals shouldn’t they be applauded?

The point is it is not lack of talented athletes but a lack of culture when it comes to sport

Some African countries only win medals in marathon or something all the time, that’s a reflection of their sports culture of their country.

India is doing well in cricket, has come a long way in wrestling, shooting and badminton and only getting better with more interest.

What are you whining about again ?

Oh the ignorance. Winning just 28 medals in Olympics in almost 120 years is pathetic. China also comes in Asia and they first appeared in Olympics in 1952 and they have won 608 medals so far. Nobody is whining here. Just stating the truth which as always you are finding it hard to digest. Once they reach Olympics it is athletes fault. Either they are not good enough or do not deserve to represent India.

 

[Itachi]

China on the other hand has won 608 medals

Gold - 237
Silver - 195
Bronze - 176

And here we have people who don't have any problem with India winning 5-7 medals lol. Some people have such low standards that they are happy with pathetic stats like these.

Simple living, happy life.

 

[Itachi]

Medals in Badminton shows power and strength ? Lol . What is badminton now ? Some tough sport like Rugby.

It's considered a girly Sport played by mainly orientals.

You clearly are NOT a sports person if you believe badminton requires no power, strength and stamina. It's ok. Non athletic people don't grasp this concept.

 

[Slog]

Compared to the whole population, 100 million is nothing.

Yes but compared to most other strong footballing countries this is a lot

 

[Slog]

No its not. Its mainly popular in Bengal Goa Kerala and north east. Except north east its second to Cricket in Bengal Goa and Kerala.

Yes so that’s a 100 million plus population base

 

[guna]

Foot ball is boring. Nothing happens for long periods. Never understood the hype around it. Not my cup of tea.
It needs lots of space, shoes and of course the ball.

Cricket can be played with a wooden stick and a 5rupees rubber ball or a badly used up tennis ball even in a narrow gully.

 

[Slog]

Foot ball is boring. Nothing happens for long periods. Never understood the hype around it. Not my cup of tea.
It needs lots of space, shoes and of course the ball.

Cricket can be played with a wooden stick and a 5rupees rubber ball or a badly used up tennis ball even in a narrow gully.

“Nothing happens for long periods” - Have you ever watched cricket?

Also cricket is def more expensive sport. Need ball, bat, wickets at minimum. Football you only need ball at a bare basic level

 

[KingKhanWC]

They have started investing in and focusing on football over the last 2-3 decades. It will take a long time before they can compete with countries that have a long history of football heritage.

The UAE football team is younger than the Indian one but football is the most popular sport in UAE and they have invested heavily from the beginning.

India will qualify for the World Cup in the next 30-40 years. Major European clubs are investing in Indian football and there will be considerable talent development over the next few decades.

They will also host a World Cup. They hosted the U17 World Cup 2017.

The future for Indian football is very bright.

Fifa are increasing the number of teams, even poor African nations or small Arab nations will qualify or islands such as Jamaica. This will be no big achievement for a nation with over 1.3 billion people.

There is too much competition in football, the standard of players around the world is high.

India may qualify in 40 years lol But will never be a great footballing nation.

I mean this is the same country who wanted to play bare foot lol.

 

[cricketjoshila]

India is far ahead of Pakistan in sports like boxing Power lifting Wrestling at Olympics CWG or Asian games.

Since pakistanis feel Indians are not good at physical sports, how poor the pakistanis must be.

 

[Bigboii]

You clearly are NOT a sports person if you believe badminton requires no power, strength and stamina. It's ok. Non athletic people don't grasp this concept.

Badminton is NOT A PHYSICAL SPORT
I never got tired after playing bad for 30 min

I get a little tired after 10 min of basketball or american football

Badminton belongs in MS gyms not a game for grown men... should be doing something better

 

[Civil]

Yup never got how India and Pakistan perform poorly In this sport.

Literally requires zero equipment except for a ball..which are made in the subcontinent anyway!

Passion is definitely there... so many youth are obsessed with premiership and la Liga.

Hope I see improvement in my lifetime.

 

[Saj]

I thought India was investing a lot of money into football with a view to attracting overseas players?

 

[Napa]

China on the other hand has won 608 medals

Gold - 237
Silver - 195
Bronze - 176

Interestingly enough China is ranked 74th in FIFA's rankings though they obviously have many great athletes.

I thought India was investing a lot of money into football with a view to attracting overseas players?

Football is slowly getting commercialized and will lead to an improvement in standards like IPL led to a whole new generation of Indian cricketers. Will probably take 15 to 20 years.

I think football needs flamboyance and creativity in addition to athleticism and Indians will do well once the sport has commercial backing. Indians do have the necessary skills and personality, they won multiple Asian Games golds around the 1950/60s. After that interest and commercial backing fell off, but it will be back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_national_football_team#Asian_Games

 

[Napa]

Because it's not interesting enough for large parts of our population to actually start playing it competitively.

Once you get hooked onto test cricket, these 2-bit games don't matter.

Yeah, all turfs and balls are the same.

The sport is so characterless.

Similar reason why hockey lost its appeal in India and Pakistan.

You are only making yourself come across as ridiculous by saying such things. There is a reason why football is by far the most popular game in the world even though it may not be doing well in India and Pakistan. As someone who used to play it when young, I can certify that the thrill of playing football in unmatched.

 

[guna]

“Nothing happens for long periods” - Have you ever watched cricket?

Also cricket is def more expensive sport. Need ball, bat, wickets at minimum. Football you only need ball at a bare basic level

That is why Test cricket is dying. At least in Test cricket, wickets fall, runs are scored. Foot ball is a joke. It’s just my opinion.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I thought India was investing a lot of money into football with a view to attracting overseas players?

It will take couple of decades.

 

[rhony]

USA has great infrastructure and the game is well coached and followed at grass roots level. Men's team is bang on average and women's team is pretty good. What does that tell you?

When you have other sports that are dominant, elite athletes go to those sports. Parents encourage kids to play those sports. Just having infrastructure isn't enough. The sport needs to be the dominant sport among masses. NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL take up most of the elite talent. Womens teams don't have that issue. I read that Indians are very passionate about football. How many actually take up the game at a young level vs cricket?

People comparing India with China are just clueless. China is a drone factory that forces kids and tortures them into Olympic training. They are bang on average on every team sport they play despite the drug cheating. They don't produce a Federer or a Tendulkar or a Jordan or a Tiger or Jahangir khan for the same reason. Torture and brainwash can make you good Free will and creativity along with Nurturing make you great.

The gulf countries are better in football because they don't have any other dominant sport either.

 

[Hornbill]

cricket is def more expensive sport. Need ball, bat, wickets at minimum. Football you only need ball at a bare basic level

No you only need to buy a 10 rupee cricket ball for playing cricket, rest of the things can be made from locally available wooden sticks and logs.

 

[OldWarHorse]

I thought India was investing a lot of money into football with a view to attracting overseas players?

Money is being spent but getting big names isnt going to turn Indians into magically playing better football. Its nothing more than a 2 month long paid holiday in Goa for those guys. Only things Indians have gotten out of it is better fitness standards.

The actual money needs to be spent on clubs developing infrastructure and academies, youth coaches and proper youth leagues like the South East Asian countries are doing. But that requires years of actual work and planning ahead.

Football is an incredibly competitive sport to be good at.. even for the bottom levels in Asia. Just throwing money at overseas players in the league will hardly be enough.

 

[Slog]

USA has great infrastructure and the game is well coached and followed at grass roots level. Men's team is bang on average and women's team is pretty good. What does that tell you?

Men’s team is not bang on average.

It’s regularly in the top 20, often top 10 and regularly makes World Cup. It’s players regularly feature in the best annual soccer tournament is the Champions League.

Also compared India, US has 1/4th the population and 3 to 4 dominant sports; not just 1 like it is in India.

Also for no region of the US with significant population, is soccer the main sport.

So your comparison is pretty poor to begin with.

 

[Slog]

That is why Test cricket is dying. At least in Test cricket, wickets fall, runs are scored. Foot ball is a joke. It’s just my opinion.

Lol.

I just can’t believe this is real.

A guy who watches and enjoys cricket has a complaint about ‘not much happening for long periods’ for football.

But you’re right. It’s just your opinion, faulty as it may be.

 

[Bigboii]

Men’s team is not bang on average.

It’s regularly in the top 20, often top 10 and regularly makes World Cup. It’s players regularly feature in the best annual soccer tournament is the Champions League.

Also compared India, US has 1/4th the population and 3 to 4 dominant sports; not just 1 like it is in India.

Also for no region of the US with significant population, is soccer the main sport.

So your comparison is pretty poor to begin with.

for a country who dont follow any sports unless they are winning this is not average but pathetic

i remember the Russian world cup where US failed to make it into the cup
Except for two three Latinos no one knew that we even have a soccer team and qualification for the cup were happening

 

[rhony]

Men’s team is not bang on average.

It’s regularly in the top 20, often top 10 and regularly makes World Cup. It’s players regularly feature in the best annual soccer tournament is the Champions League.

Also compared India, US has 1/4th the population and 3 to 4 dominant sports; not just 1 like it is in India.

Also for no region of the US with significant population, is soccer the main sport.

So your comparison is pretty poor to begin with.

Men's team didn't qualify last time. It's players featuring in the champions league? What, the one or two? It's always been an average team and will be. It's quite funny how you think they are actually any good. You should actually listen to the fans here. All the comments about how soccer is not the main sport for any region is just you agreeing to my point. That's why the team is mediocre because the best athletes play other sport. Almost every kid plays soccer when young in US. Through school or through coaching outside and it doesn't matter. They just leave the sport within a few years.

Population is another irrelevant issue. One should compare populations when both have the equal opportunity and exposure.

 

[Slog]

Men's team didn't qualify last time. It's players featuring in the champions league? What, the one or two? It's always been an average team and will be. It's quite funny how you think they are actually any good. You should actually listen to the fans here. All the comments about how soccer is not the main sport for any region is just you agreeing to my point. That's why the team is mediocre because the best athletes play other sport. Almost every kid plays soccer when young in US. Through school or through coaching outside and it doesn't matter. They just leave the sport within a few years.

Population is another irrelevant issue. One should compare populations when both have the equal opportunity and exposure.

There were 9 American Players in the champions league this time.

Yes USA didn’t qualify for the 2018 WC but no big deal. Such things happen. England didn’t qualify for 2008 Euros. Netherlands missed out on a WC few editions ago. The point is that more often than not the US makes the WC.

I didn’t say it’s a great team. But to be in top 20-25 is still creditable. This is not a sport like cricket with just 8 front line teams

 

[Giannis]

It's cause it's not popular in india, once it becomes a mainstream sport in India and Pakistan and replaces cricket in national focus then both countries would regularly make the world cup and win it, a lot of the little european and latin american countries will be rudely awakened once the sleeping giants wake up.

 

[Slog]

It's cause it's not popular in india, once it becomes a mainstream sport in India and Pakistan and replaces cricket in national focus then both countries would regularly make the world cup and win it, a lot of the little european and latin american countries will be rudely awakened once the sleeping giants wake up.

Are you serious?

This not popular argument is crap. Soccer is the first sport in several Indian states which have a combined population of well over 125 million people. That’s a pool greater than majority of the major soccer playing nations.

So there’s enough people in India for whom soccer is the main sport

 

[CricketCartoons]

because mostly poor kids play this sport in india, and lack of interest. I am a decently informed person, but I can only recognize messi and ronaldo. don't know any current footballer. Don't even know who is the current football champion (usually brazil it is?)

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Yes, very bright ��

Funny how your willing to give Indian football a few decades. Yet pounce on anything Pro Pakistan and are extremely negative.

Was thinking exactly the same thing. I'm sure in the Pakistan thread he just ended up cussing Pakistanis in general, but 30 or 40 years is a long time, India and Pakistan might both end up getting beat 6-0 by Afghanistan by then.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yeah, all turfs and balls are the same.

The sport is so characterless.

Similar reason why hockey lost its appeal in India and Pakistan.

Has hockey lost its appeal in India as well?

The main reason Pakistan is no longer a powerhouse is because the standard of public schools went down. Private schools are able to produce smart enough students. However, these private schools place 0 emphasis on sport so essentially, the only sportsmen you see in Pakistan are people who have gone out of their way to play sport. The fact that we still have people coming out in every sport speaks to the perseverance and passion of some people. The government and school owners are doing zilch.

 

[liam26]

Are you serious?

This not popular argument is crap. Soccer is the first sport in several Indian states which have a combined population of well over 125 million people. That’s a pool greater than majority of the major soccer playing nations.

So there’s enough people in India for whom soccer is the main sport

In which Indian States is Football the First Sport ?

 

[Slog]

In which Indian States is Football the First Sport ?

West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, bunch of northeastern states I don’t remember name of

Those alone forms a total population greater than most countries

 

[CricketCartoons]

West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, bunch of northeastern states I don’t remember name of

Those alone forms a total population greater than most countries

What does first sport mean? number of viewers, or number of active players per capita? Or something else?

 

[Varun]

You are only making yourself come across as ridiculous by saying such things. There is a reason why football is by far the most popular game in the world even though it may not be doing well in India and Pakistan. As someone who used to play it when young, I can certify that the thrill of playing football in unmatched.

That's because it is the lowest common denominator of world sport. You need brains to understand test cricket. Talk to the average football fan about draws, follow-ons, powerplays, 2 new balls etc. and he'll zone out before you can spell "BALL".

 

[Varun]

Has hockey lost its appeal in India as well?

The main reason Pakistan is no longer a powerhouse is because the standard of public schools went down. Private schools are able to produce smart enough students. However, these private schools place 0 emphasis on sport so essentially, the only sportsmen you see in Pakistan are people who have gone out of their way to play sport. The fact that we still have people coming out in every sport speaks to the perseverance and passion of some people. The government and school owners are doing zilch.

We used to win Olympic gold medals in hockey back in the day.

Now we're like the West Indies, at the fringes of the sport.

 

[RajBan]

India were a decent Asian team till early 80s and used to compete with Korea, Japan and Iran respectably. They lost their way as Football leagues across Europe and Asia transformed in 80s with more investments as well as a massive change in coaching, management and training making it a ultra professional sport.

 

[Napa]

That's because it is the lowest common denominator of world sport.

Whatever that may mean.

You need brains to understand test cricket. Talk to the average football fan about draws, follow-ons, powerplays, 2 new balls etc. and he'll zone out before you can spell "BALL".

Don’t be pretentious.

When I played football it was nonstop action. In cricket out of the 22 players most of the time 20 are not doing anything. Cricket may be more exciting for many to watch but as a player nothing beats the intensity, energy and fun of football, hence its worldwide popularity.

When I want intellectual stimulation I would choose to play chess or bridge.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Whatever that may mean.



Don’t be pretentious.

When I played football it was nonstop action. In cricket out of the 22 players most of the time 20 are not doing anything. Cricket may be more exciting for many to watch but as a player nothing beats the intensity, energy and fun of football, hence its worldwide popularity.

When I want intellectual stimulation I would choose to play chess or bridge.

lol, as if you have played all sports and know which is the most fun. granted, you enjoy football, and that doesn't make you any lesser person than us who enjoy cricket. Your tastes are equally valid and cricket fans should stop with their eliticism and snobbery and looking down upon those who enjoy football.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Yes so that’s a 100 million plus population base

Not it isn't when most people are interested in cricket only.

 

[Varun]

Whatever that may mean.



Don’t be pretentious.

When I played football it was nonstop action. In cricket out of the 22 players most of the time 20 are not doing anything. Cricket may be more exciting for many to watch but as a player nothing beats the intensity, energy and fun of football, hence its worldwide popularity.

When I want intellectual stimulation I would choose to play chess or bridge.

You're not who I'm targeting. You're a test cricket fan so you are already in the superset. Whether you also like football or not is irrelevant.

It's like a heavy meat eater also preferring an easy salad from time to time.

 

[OMB]

India were a decent Asian team till early 80s and used to compete with Korea, Japan and Iran respectably. They lost their way as Football leagues across Europe and Asia transformed in 80s with more investments as well as a massive change in coaching, management and training making it a ultra professional sport.

Europe was dominating Football even before 80's.
Portugal, England (1966), German and Dutch teams of 1970's and Italy all through 1950's to 1980's. All of them were outshining Asian countries even then.
India were not in reckoning even before 1990's

 

[OMB]

That's because it is the lowest common denominator of world sport. You need brains to understand test cricket. Talk to the average football fan about draws, follow-ons, powerplays, 2 new balls etc. and he'll zone out before you can spell "BALL".

Not quite right. This could be our personal preference due to our passion for cricket. But can we simply state that there are no strategy / statistics in other games? To billions around the world, Football is known as "the beautiful game".

Average football fans is used to more countries, more players, more leagues, more matches (in short more football) than cricket. In their opinion, Cricket is being played in handful of countries.

About "need brains to understand test cricket"? If brains be used as a barometer to understand a game, then Chess or Bridge will rule. But this isn't true. Tbh most people find both chess or bridge very boring to watch and hence they remain not a spectator sport.

 

[CricketCartoons]

About "need brains to understand test cricket"? If brains be used as a barometer to understand a game, then Chess or Bridge will rule. But this isn't true. Tbh most people find both chess or bridge very boring to watch and hence they remain not a spectator sport.

agreed, brains should not be the barometer, because it deprives most of the people. let everyone enjoy the sports they like instead of making success in a particular sport a barometer of sporting success. used to follow some soccer news in school only because it would be asked in quiz competitions. have never watched a single football match (except for the fleeting glimpse when switching channels).

 

[RajBan]

Europe was dominating Football even before 80's.
Portugal, England (1966), German and Dutch teams of 1970's and Italy all through 1950's to 1980's. All of them were outshining Asian countries even then.
India were not in reckoning even before 1990's

Hardly Europe was dominating football during 50s- 80s. It was dominated by Brazil and later by Argentina with only two European nations offering ATG sides but not winning anything - Hungary and Dutch. It's true that Germany and Italy won the WC and Germany was a premium team but they were not considered favourites ahead of Brazil or Dutch during that era, Italy was even further behind.

You can't compare India with any of these nations, their footballing culture as a whole was at a different level. Only Bengal at that time in the 60s-79s had anything comparable as a popular football culture but did not have the other things like infrastructure and skill.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Football can be an enjoyable spectacle but the real drama in the sport is through historic rivalries, transfer speculation, manager v manager battles. These things take a long time to take root and capture the imagination of the public and also need fans with disposable income to support the game.

India have neither the history or the disposable income fans yet but they are laying the foundations and I think in the next 30-40 years they will be able to hold the UAE to a draw at least.

 

[OMB]

Hardly Europe was dominating football during 50s- 80s. It was dominated by Brazil and later by Argentina with only two European nations offering ATG sides but not winning anything - Hungary and Dutch. It's true that Germany and Italy won the WC and Germany was a premium team but they were not considered favourites ahead of Brazil or Dutch during that era, Italy was even further behind.

You can't compare India with any of these nations, their footballing culture as a whole was at a different level. Only Bengal at that time in the 60s-79s had anything comparable as a popular football culture but did not have the other things like infrastructure and skill.

Not quite @ Europe not dominating football.
Brazil and Argentina did have better cup wins to show those days but Europe was dominating football world even then. Italy was close on heels of Brazil and wasn't further behind anyone in Europe. In 70's Italy was in almost every Semifinals. in 50's and 60's runners up were almost always European nations like Sweden, Czech or Yugoslavs. Poland was in SF in 74.
Germany, England and Italy went on to win the WC. Dutch and Hungary were one of the greatest to never have won the world cup. Italy and England all had great players and teams throughout their history. Spain and French national teams started gaining post 1980's but they had great club teams prior to 80's too.

I am not comparing India with them. In fact I agree that there is no popular football culture in India. Even in Goa, Kerala, Bengal it is cricket which has now taken fancy.

 

[RajBan]

Football can be an enjoyable spectacle but the real drama in the sport is through historic rivalries, transfer speculation, manager v manager battles. These things take a long time to take root and capture the imagination of the public and also need fans with disposable income to support the game.

India have neither the history or the disposable income fans yet but they are laying the foundations and I think in the next 30-40 years they will be able to hold the UAE to a draw at least.

This is not fully true. The Derby between East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohd Sporting is rich in history and rivalry. It's only in last 10 years where this has got eclipsed by the ISL money but ISL does not yet have the history of passion that you are referring to.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

No you only need to buy a 10 rupee cricket ball for playing cricket, rest of the things can be made from locally available wooden sticks and logs.

Lol. I am pretty sure [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] and others are discussing about serious cricket and sports. Even in local tournaments in cricket you need the following things as a player :

 

[Slog]

Not it isn't when most people are interested in cricket only.

Yes lot of cricket crazy people in Kerala, goa and states like Manipur and whatever those northeastern are named. Even your bengal is soccer crazy