AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers: India vs Macau game in October postponed

What’s the story?

Indian National Football Team’s AFC Asian Cup Qualifier game which was set to be held at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on October 10th has been postponed by a day to October 11th, according to a Goal India report.

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The Indian National Football Team was scheduled to play Macau in a much vital AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. Team India has already established its grip on top of the table. In the recent game, they defeated Macau, extending their unbeaten streak to 11 games including an unofficial win against neighbors Bhutan.

Heart of the matter

The reason given by the AIFF (All India Football Federation) to the AFC governing body was that the stadium would not be available on the scheduled date. However, the report has confirmed that the actual reason for the delay is totally different.

The Indian Cricket Team is set to take arch-rivals Australia in a five-match ODI series and three-match T20I Series. Of which, the second T20I match is scheduled on October 10, which was the initial itinerary for India’s continental qualification match.

Even though the cricket match is played in Guwahati, the broadcasters of both games were not happy with the idea of cricket team and football team playing on the same day and this has forced to delay the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifier by a day.

A person close to developments was also quoted as saying, ”It is a sad state of affairs that an international football match has been pushed back because of the cricket schedule. We can only hope that this does not happen again."

What’s next?

The Asian Football Federation (AFC) was okay with the idea of shifting the match but asked the AIFF to ensure that the new game falls in FIFA’s international calendar.

The AIFF also approached Macau to seek permission, concerning the change in date, but the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’ had no problem playing on October 11.

Indian Football Team will battle Palestine in an international friendly conducted as a preparation for their continental venture. The game is scheduled for 2nd October at the Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai.

Author’s take

The decision taken by AIFF has brought some agitation against them.Fans have gone frenzy via Social Media after hearing the decision. Should the game have to be played at the initial date than a day later. An attitude that fears the earning should not be at the helm if the aspiration is to become the elite of world football.