| Asian Games and other tests for AIFF Football with a morning cuppa will be a new experience. Over the next one month, India can get up at 6.30am to follow defending champions USA in the Women’s World Cup. Or earlier (Argentina v South Africa starts at 5.30am). Till Monday, we didn’t know whether we would be able to see Megan Rapinoe at her final World Cup but somewhat like goals in second-half stoppage time, FanCode and DD Sports came on board for the games from Australia and New Zealand. Phew! And what a start the World Cup had! For the first time a team that had won the tournament lost its opening match. When in five touches New Zealand scored against Norway through Hannah Wilson, it was their first win in a World Cup for both men and women. Intensely physical and focusing on set-pieces and counter-attacks, not unlike the men’s teams helmed by Jack Charlton, Republic of Ireland went down fighting against Australia for whom Stephanie Catley scored a text book penalty in the 1-0 win. Of rankings and reality Even as the World Cup unfolds in the backdrop of Gianni Infantino saying he couldn’t guarantee that federations of the 32 participating countries would share what FIFA is committed to paying all 736 World Cup players, even as we follow whether USA can survive stiffer-than-before tests in their bid for a fifth World Cup, and a historic third successive title, All India Football Federation (AIFF) will be facing challenges just as severe. AIFF has to ensure that India can participate in the Asian Games on a no-cost-to-the-government basis. India have in all editions bar the last this century. With AIFF headed by a former goalkeeper who is also an important official in the Indian Olympic Association and a member of the ruling party, India not sending men’s and women’s teams to Hangzhou could be embarrassing for Kalyan Chaubey. Back channel negotiations are on but here’s the thing: if AIFF is allowed, it would be normal service, well almost; if not, the backlash from fans could be severe. The reaction to Igor Stimac’s open letter is proof of what AIFF could face.  Except in 2010 when they were one of the best third-placed teams, India couldn’t get out of the group in any edition this century. Yet, the points Stimac makes are exactly why the men’s team should go. In the 2022 Asian under-23 qualifiers, India beat Oman and Kyrgyzstan and lost 0-1 to UAE. Many of those players are 23 or below meaning they will be eligible for Asian Games. Many of them are also senior India regulars meaning they are not short on experience. At a time when the senior team under Stimac has won three tournaments and bossed Kuwait and Lebanon, not allowing India, at 99 this is the highest they have been ranked since 2018, to take part because they are not in the top eight (they weren’t going into earlier Asian Games either) in Asia would be a case of following the regulation in letter not spirit. For the women, the Games would be a chance to get ready for the second round of the Olympic qualifiers. Many haven’t got over being ousted from the 2022 AFC Asian Women’s Cup because of Covid-19 and Asian Games can somewhat compensate for that, they feel. Marketa Vondrousova’s Wimbledon title, New Zealand’s win and Morocco making the semi-finals of the men’s World Cup are proof of rankings not reflecting reality. “I mean, (twice world champions) Germany plays against (debutants) Zambia (and) loses 3-2 (in a friendly). Those games are going to happen,” USA coach Vlatko Andonovski said ahead of the Women’s World Cup.  Igor Stimac (Left) and Thomas Dennerby (Source: AIFF) On Dennerby and Stimac AIFF will also have to deal with India women’s team’s request to retain Thomas Dennerby as head coach being ignored by the IM Vijayan-led technical committee. Anthony Andrews, who won the Indian Women’s League with Gokulam Kerala FC, has been recommended but the executive committee’s approval is awaited. Of course, in keeping with the Indian sports bodies’ tradition of putting athletes in their place, AIFF can sledgehammer the request. But that would also be from the playbook of the earlier dispensation which, in 2011, punished NP Pradeep for abusive language and warned Sunil Chhetri. Their offence? Both wanted Bob Houghton to stay in charge of the men’s team. Bhaichung Bhutia, also a big Houghton supporter, got away because he had retired. Also simmering is a Stimac storm. Around this time last year, Stimac had thrown down the gauntlet after India qualified for the Asian Cup in style. At the press conference after the final game against Hong Kong, Stimac had shot from the lip. From AIFF being run by a committee of administrators to the need for long preparatory camps, nothing was spared. Soon after taking charge, Chaubey’s team extended Stimac’s term till the Asian Cup. That is less than six months away so, what if Stimac uses the team hitting the high notes at home to talk about his future (the possible benefits of that were discussed in the issue dated July 7)? And the need for a long training camp ahead of the Asian Cup. Sunil Chhetri and Anirudh Thapa have emphasised the need for one here and here. Will AIFF get into a staring contest with Stimac? Will it listen to the women’s team? Will India go to Asian Games? Watch this space. | 
