India Withdraws from ASEAN Cup to Prioritise Brazil Friendly
India will not send a team to the ASEAN Cup, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirming that the national team’s proposed match against Brazil has been given greater priority.
XtraTime Web Desk
India will not send a team to the ASEAN Cup, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirming that the national team’s proposed match against Brazil has been given greater priority.
The ASEAN Cup is scheduled to take place from September 21 to October 6. There had been speculation that India might send a second-string squad to the tournament, but the AIFF has now ruled out that possibility.
The decision means India will miss the opportunity to compete against some of Southeast Asia’s strongest teams. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan explained that the federation cannot field teams at two different venues simultaneously, forcing India to withdraw from the ASEAN Cup.
India had been invited to participate in the tournament as a non-ASEAN team and were placed in Group A alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Oman.
With the ASEAN Cup no longer part of their plans, India are now looking to make the most of the FIFA international window by arranging international friendly matches. The proposed Brazil fixture is currently at the centre of the federation’s planning as India seek high-profile international exposure.