Indian Football : AIFF XI

The introduction of the AIFF XI has been the subject of much debate and regardless of our opinions they are here for this season at least. My opinion is that it is a great idea but probably not the best way to spend the limited funds available to the AIFF.

AIFF XI To be or not to be ?

Four games into the new season the AIFF boys find themselves bottom of the table and have suffered heavy defeats in their last 2 matches. Looking up from the bottom of the table the players will see that they have conceded the most goals, twice as many as any other team except the porous defence of Mohun Bagan. They will also see that the big defeats were to the top 2 in the table and that in their only home game they got their first and only I-league point.

It is still difficult to judge how good this young team is but it seems that they would greatly benefit from a little injection of experience. I expect them to improve as the season goes on and their experience increases but if they suffer many heavy defeats then will the whole experience have been worthwhile? Young players have a tendency to drop their heads when they are down and are more likely to lose confidence. If an experienced national team player were to come into this squad it might inject some self confidence into this side it might inspire a few victories.

Imagine a Delhi born football star, currently contracted by the AIFF, coming to lift the aspirations of the young players. Perhaps the AIFF should consider keeping Sunil Chhetri on rather than sending him back to Kansas to play out the rest of the season for the AIFF XI.

This is pure suggestion and it would upset rival clubs but as an I-league fan it might make the league more interesting.