No wins, no Sunil Chhetri, what’s next? A team in the doldrums for Indian football

No wins, no Sunil Chhetri, what’s next? A team in the doldrums for Indian football

At times, the lows in sports are so low that they evoke pity rather than optimism. Indian football, specifically the senior men’s team, has endured such a phase this year.

With India having no wins and also losing the Intercontinental Cup crown this calendar year, along with facing a future without its record goalscorer Sunil Chhetri, the football scene in the country has never been grimmer.

The final act of this dismal saga unfolded in a draw with lower-ranked Malaysia at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad, on a day when the match atmosphere felt more like a school sports day than an international football encounter.

Two hours before kick-off, the venue saw school children queuing up and trickling into the stadium, while fans of the home team were scarcely in sight.

Even though a few arrived later, many others remained tied to their work commitments, unable to attend the match on a Monday evening.

Among those absent was P. Srikanth, an auto-rickshaw driver who had travelled earlier with the Diary in the hopes of watching India practice.

“Malaysia tomorrow, no? I worked there for a few years but came back during the pandemic,” he said. When asked who he would support, he chuckled and replied, “India, bhai,” in his distinct Hyderabadi accent.

On the field, the Indian team showed enough grit to equalise after being a goal down, offering the local supporters some joy.

But off the pitch, Hyderabad fell short of demonstrating its potential as a prominent football venue, instead settling for reflected glory and political vaudeville.

The venue’s shortcomings were glaring: insufficient water for volunteers during the pre-match rush, hundreds of spectators trespassing into the stands mid-game, and schoolchildren throwing bottle caps at journalists seated in a press box that’s awkwardly placed at a 45-degree angle from the goalpost (below).

The stadium was everything a venue should not be in a FIFA international friendly.

The draw at full-time marked a winless calendar year for India for the first time since 2006 (with at least five matches played), closing a putrid chapter for Indian football, both on and off the field, in the historic City of Nizams.

Liston Colaco (below) stood on the touchline, caressing the ball like a baby. His expression radiated the joy of unbounded relief and achievement.

The Mohun Bagan Super Giant forward was celebrating a goal that showcased the quality and class of a top international football striker.

For the 25,000 fans gathered to cheer their team against Jamshedpur FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Colaco had delivered a brilliant moment to savour.

He weaved through Jamshedpur FC’s defensive setup with the deftness and class that led many fans to draw comparisons with none other than Lionel Messi.

Known for his speed and creativity, Colaco had struggled for form earlier in the season.

However, the goal — where he outsmarted five Jamshedpur FC defenders before finishing with a precise angular shot — seemed to have dispelled doubts about his fitness and form.

The goal went viral online, with many users hailing it as “magical” and comparing his “stunning” skill to that of some of the best strikers in the world.

“Not many players have this kind of talent. I am really happy to see him score that fine goal,” said his coach, Jose Molina, after the match.