Indian Football Round-up: 5 Biggest Controversies of 2018 

#2 Jordan Flight Delay

There hasn't been any shortage of distractions off the field for the national players this year. Another similar instance was the 'Jordan flight delay' issue. Though a case of natural disaster and nothing to do with the officials, the team faced difficulties reaching Jordan to play a friendly with the country at Amman's King Abdullah II Stadium on November 17.

The team left India with enough time for freshening after travel and training sessions. However, heavy floods at Kuwait and Jordan found the two batch of players stranded at Kuwait and Doha Airports. While the fifteen players along with the coach at Doha airport left for Jordan and reached 24 hours before the game, struggles continued for the seven players and officials at Kuwait. But the same group caught trouble again after losing their pieces of baggage after reaching Amman.

After a day and a half of waiting, the seven players took a flight to Jordan and reached less than four hours before kickoff. The match amidst numerous uncertainties and rumours continued and was played out as scheduled.

Out of the players who arrived late - Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, Manvir Singh, Sumeet Passi, Udanta Singh, Halicharan Narzary, Ashique Kuruniyan, only two featured in the match as substitutes. Ashique Kuruniyan and Sumeet Passi found playing time in the second half as most other didn't even make the bench.

This obstacle in transit surely made a negative impact on the team's performance as the team went down 2-1. A far better outing would have been possible if factors were in favour of the Blue Tigers.

This becomes another highly talked instance of Indian football recently.