Under-23 camp from mid or third week of August. There is a possibility of SAFF Cup being played during the September FIFA window in Nepal, so the team for the tournament could have a majority of under-23 players. We will know next week. AIFF will use all windows for friendlies.
Do they have the guts to use November window? FSDL will say a big no.
Leagues usually start in Aug/Sep or Jan/Feb. FIFA windows are not a problem for off season & preseason for clubs. But here we have it in November, right after the busy period of Sep-Nov for international teams and it finishes before the next window in March.
India already reached out to Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia and Indonesia for friendlies. Most of them are struggling with Covid now though. Also as per contract NT coach is U-23 coach
what about SAFF Cup ? or playing against them is below standard for that "external entity" ? Any Loss or Draw against them will be a PR disaster for private tournament.
1-0 loss by playing 9 men in defense against any Arab team could be spinned as wonderful performance by media.
We should play in SAFF cup. in order to qualify in AFC Asian Cup, we need confidence to get 3 points against such teams
In West Asian region , few available options are Oman, Bahrain , UAE & Qatar.
Qatar lined with so many international friendlies, I don't think they will show interest to play against us. After recent fixture & mauling, even UAE will not show any interest.
Friendlies with Oman & Bahrain would be good option. Even Thailand & Vietnam are other good options.
My thoughts on his extension. I will make it short.
1. At this point of time, it doesn't make any sense to change the coach. I'm happy he got extension 2. Though he doesn't have plan B, even against the teams like Bangladesh & Afghanistan. But our team improved defensively. 3. He is ready to face stronger Asian opponents , even will not hesitate to start with younger players. 4. Agree we got easy group with the likes of Afghanistan & Bangladesh , 7 points and just 1 win in this group is under-achievement. But what NT coach can do when the likes of Manvir Singh , Bipin Singh & Liston Colaco hardly making any impact in NT. 5. Considering short-comings in striking department, he would have selected Bidyashagar Singh at-least in provisional squad, seems like external forces stopped him to select any players from I-League. If he go against them, he would have lost his job.
Comments
Do they have the guts to use November window? FSDL will say a big no.
Leagues usually start in Aug/Sep or Jan/Feb. FIFA windows are not a problem for off season & preseason for clubs. But here we have it in November, right after the busy period of Sep-Nov for international teams and it finishes before the next window in March.
Qatar lined with so many international friendlies, I don't think they will show interest to play against us.
After recent fixture & mauling, even UAE will not show any interest.
Friendlies with Oman & Bahrain would be good option. Even Thailand & Vietnam are other good options.
1. At this point of time, it doesn't make any sense to change the coach. I'm happy he got extension
2. Though he doesn't have plan B, even against the teams like Bangladesh & Afghanistan.
But our team improved defensively.
3. He is ready to face stronger Asian opponents , even will not hesitate to start with younger players.
4. Agree we got easy group with the likes of Afghanistan & Bangladesh , 7 points and just 1 win in this group is under-achievement. But what NT coach can do when the likes of Manvir Singh , Bipin Singh & Liston Colaco hardly making any impact in NT.
5. Considering short-comings in striking department, he would have selected Bidyashagar Singh at-least in provisional squad, seems like external forces stopped him to select any players from I-League. If he go against them, he would have lost his job.