'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The past year saw India participating in the FIFA U17 World Cup for the very first time. Moreover, the Blue Tigers qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 by beating Macau. With football picking up pace in the country, 2018 offers no roadblock and shall be a smooth passage for Indian football.
In March, FIFA would confirm whether India will be given the rights to host U20 World Cup 2019 or not. Moreover, the draw for 2019 AFC Asian Cup, which India qualified for after missing out on previous editions, will also take place this year. Here are five other things to watch out for in 2018:
The January transfer window
January is a very interesting month for all the Indian football followers. With coaches being sacked to the arrival of new foreigners, the first month of the year has it all for you.
Trending
Delhi Dynamos has signed India U-17 star Shubham Sarangi and ex-La Liga star goalkeeper Xabi Irureta. Ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant has been appointed as the technical advisor for NorthEast United FC, while former East Bengal and Prayag United manager Eelco Schattorie has been appointed as the assistant coach. FC Goa has signed Aizawl FC star H Lalmuankima. David James also took over from Rene Meulensteen and Shankarlal Chakraborty has been promoted to take over Mohun Bagan. All this happened in just the first week!
Dheeraj Singh too has left the Indian Arrows and will probably undergo a trial with Motherwell FC and reports of Komal Thatal having trials with Turkese giants Galatasaray have come up as well. It would be interesting to see if other U-17 World Cup players follow their path.
Continental Competitions
Bengaluru FC made India proud when it became the runners-up of AFC Cup 2016 after losing 1-0 narrowly to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. It also reached the inter-zonal final of 2017 AFC Cup.
The Blues will begin their 2018 continental campaign in the AFC Cup when they take on Transport United of Bhutan on 23rd January. Moreover, Aizawl FC will begin their AFC Champions League qualifying playoff when they take on Zob Ahan of Iran in 30 January. If they do win, they would become the first Indian club to play in AFC Champions League.
Consequently, Mohun Bagan fans will root for Aizawl FC, as a win for the Northeastern side in the Champions League playoff will also result in AFC Cup qualification for Mohun Bagan.
2018 Asian Games
India U-23 squad along with three overage players will take part in it from August 18 to September 2. A very few would know that India won the gold medal at the 1951 and 1962 edition of it.
It will be way too over the top to say that India could repeat history. Nonetheless, we expect India to do better than their previous one. In the 2014 Asian Games, they lost 5-0 to UAE and 2-0 to Jordan.
It will be a good opportunity for younger players like Ashique Kuruniyan, Sarthak Golui and Lallianzuala Chhangte to prove the coach that they could be in the senior team. They are performing well for their ISL clubs. It will be interesting to see how they do in the national colours.
The SAFF Championship
India will be making its thirteenth appearance in the tournament and would be starting on as favourite.
It is scheduled to take place from 4 September to 15 September in Bangladesh. With no Afghanistan this year, the task should be cut out easier for the 'Blue Tigers'. It can also turn out to be a good opportunity for Stephen Constantine to try out other players.
The fans expect nothing other than victory in all the matches for the Indian team. If FIFA lifts Pakistan's ban, then we can see another Indo-Pak clash at the tournament. This tournament can also act as a ranking booster.
2018 AFC U16 Championship
In case you don't know, our boys qualified for the event by defeating Palestine and drawing with Nepal and Iraq in September 2017 in Nepal. It will mark India's seventh appearance in the tournament.
India qualified for this edition of U-17 World Cup as it was the host nation. However, to qualify in 2018, the 'Blue Colts' would need to reach the semi-final of this tournament to be held from September 20 to October 7 in Malaysia. Though it is very unlikely that the game will be telecast, you can catch the game on various streaming sites. Best of luck to our future!
