Kolkata: India have pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup because it clashed with the friendly against Brazil. The decision was taken on Wednesday.
“We are unable to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup due to our commitment with the Brazil football federation,” AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said. “There were technical issues too since only four games can be played during the window (September 21-October 6). We have informed FIFA and officials are aware of why we were forced to take this decision.”
“As discussed in the executive committee meeting, India have played four times in last three years against Singapore and Malaysia (group opponents at the ASEAN Cup) and may get opportunities to play against them again but Brazil rarely happens, perhaps once in a lifetime for Indian players.
“It’s something that can promote the sport across our country. The ASEAN Cup is an important competition that raised a lot of interest. We will miss that but we will make the best use of this FIFA international window so that India can play two more friendly matches against quality opponents. Teams who are much higher ranked than India. We can learn a lot from such tough matches.”
India were one of the guests for the first FIFA ASEAN Cup and had been grouped with hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The tournament ran from September 21-October 6. India play Brazil in Kolkata on October 3.