Indian football witnessed a disheartening setback as they succumbed to a painful 1-2 defeat against Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers held on Tuesday, underscoring the turmoil plaguing the sport within the nation.
Despite entering the home leg match of the qualifiers as the favored side, India, ranked 117th, managed to seize the lead in the 37th minute through the iconic Sunil Chhetri's 94th international goal in his milestone 150th match.
However, the Afghan team retaliated fiercely in the second half, with Rahmat Akbari (71′) and Sharif Mukhammad (88′) securing goals, leaving the fervent crowd at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium crestfallen in the wake of yet another disappointment.
While Indian football has endured darker days in the past, such as the humiliating defeat to minuscule Guam in 2015 during the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, the recent loss against Afghanistan, ranked 158th, serves as a stark reminder of unresolved issues within the sport.
The recurring theme of overreliance on Chhetri's goal-scoring prowess persists, with a dearth of emerging talent capable of shouldering the responsibility post-Chhetri's inevitable retirement at the age of 40.
The absence of extensive preparatory camps, as pointed out by head coach Igor Stimac, continues to hinder the national team's performance in major tournaments, further exacerbated by conflicts between Stimac and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Off-field controversies, including allegations of financial mismanagement against AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, add to the sport's woes, yet the governing body remains adamant in acknowledging the underlying issues.
In his milestone match, Chhetri delivered as anticipated, converting a penalty after Haroon Amiri's handball, but Afghanistan's determined attack led to their eventual victory, dampening hopes of advancing in the qualifiers.
Despite fleeting moments of promise, notably Liston Colaco's near miss and Manvir Singh's early opportunity, India faltered, prompting substitutions that failed to alter the course of the match.
Ultimately, Afghanistan's resilience prevailed, dashing Indian hopes and leaving them with a disappointing draw in the first leg, reflecting the uphill battle Indian football continues to face on both domestic and international fronts.
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