Source TOI
NEW DELHI — The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is grappling with a major scheduling conflict after the confirmation of a high-profile international friendly between India and five-time World Cup champions Brazil, scheduled for October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The blockbuster fixture directly overlaps with the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, set to run from September 24 to October 4. The overlap has triggered intense deliberation within Indian football’s governing body regarding national team priorities and player management.
The Conflict: India has been drawn into Group A of the FIFA ASEAN Cup alongside regional rivals Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. However, the tournament’s final on October 3 coincides exactly with the date reserved for the Kolkata clash against Brazil.
FIFA’s Stance: The AIFF initially explored fielding a secondary “B” team or an Under-23 squad for the ASEAN Cup. However, world governing body FIFA turned down the request, insisting that participating nations field their primary senior squads.
Debate Within AIFF: Former national team captain Bhaichung Bhutia, speaking at an AIFF Executive Committee meeting, urged the federation to prioritize the ASEAN Cup. Bhutia highlighted the competitive value, prize money, and potential FIFA ranking points available in the official tournament compared to the financial risks associated with hosting a top-tier exhibition.
The Dual-Squad Strategy: Despite concerns over resource allocation and logistics, the majority of the AIFF Executive Committee favored preserving the historic marquee match against Brazil. The federation subsequently announced plans to notify FIFA that it intends to participate in both events by deploying two distinct national team squads.
The fixture against fifth-ranked Brazil represents the highest-ranked opponent India has ever faced in an official international match since FIFA rankings were instituted in 1992. Head coach Khalid Jamil and technical staff are now tasked with dividing the national player pool to fulfill both commitments in autumn.
