After national coach Stephen Constantine plea for sending the team to the Asian Games 2018, the AIFF has finally decided so send the men’s football team to participate in the upcoming Asian Games in Jakarta.
“The official confirmation has come to the All India Football Federation. The men’s team is going for sure but the women’s team’s faith still hangs in balance as they are yet to get the green light,” a well-placed source close to the AIFF said.
Constantine appealed to the government during the Intercontinental Cup earlier this month to let the team participate in the competition.
“We need more games and if the government is listening, send us to the Asian games. It’s an U-23 event and we have 11 players in this squad who are below 23. The benefits the players will gain from the Asian Games will be huge,” Constantine had said.
The Intercontinental Cup was a preparatory event for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where Kenya, Chinese Taipie and New Zealand had participated. India emerged victorious in the event with a 2-0 win over Kenya in the finals.
India are clubbed with hosts United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Bahrain in Group A AFC Asia Cup, which will be held from January 5 to February 1.
