December 28th 2024.
The Indian football community was struck with disappointment in 2024 as the senior men's team faced a winless year. This was also the year when the beloved Sunil Chhetri announced his retirement after 19 years of dedicated service to the national team. Chhetri had become a symbol of Indian football, with his signature No. 11 jersey and his famous 'namaste' celebration after scoring goals. His 151 appearances and 94 goals have left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans, and he will always be remembered as a leader who inspired millions.
The retirement of this talismanic player, at the age of 39, marked the end of an era for Indian football. It was a year of more lows than highs for the national team, as they struggled to adjust to a new phase without their star striker. For the first time in a decade, the team failed to win a single match in 12 months. Chhetri, who had always given his all for the country, tearfully expressed his decision to retire, stating that one day he knew he had to hang up his boots for the greater good of the team.
The Indian football community bid an emotional farewell to Chhetri in his last match against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. A record-breaking crowd of 58,921 gathered at Salt Lake Stadium to show their love and appreciation for the legend, but unfortunately, the game ended in a goalless draw. It was a bittersweet moment as the national team lost their torchbearer, the one who had carried the sport on his shoulders for nearly two decades. Since his retirement, the team has struggled to fill the void left by Chhetri.
The disappointing exit from the second round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers was followed by the abrupt sacking of head coach Igor Stimac, a year before his contract expired. The Croatian coach demanded a hefty compensation amount, which led to a dispute between him and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Eventually, a settlement was reached, but it cost the federation a significant amount of money. The Indian team ended up last in their group, failing to win a single match, and their ranking dropped to 126 in the FIFA chart.
At the club level, Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC continued their domination, winning the Shield and the ISL title respectively. However, Mohun Bagan's joy was short-lived as they were disqualified from the AFC Champions League 2 for refusing to travel to Iran citing security concerns. The club's matches were declared null and void, and they were unable to participate in the prestigious competition.
On the women's side, Odisha FC made history by securing a spot in the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage after winning their preliminary stage group. The year also saw a tug of war between two rival clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, over the contract of a talented center-back, Anwar Ali. This led to legal battles and controversies off the field, which also involved the AIFF president, Kalyan Chaubey.
Chaubey faced allegations of mishandling tender processes and misusing AIFF funds for personal expenses, which led to calls for his resignation from former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia. The federation also faced criticism over their handling of the broadcasting rights for the I-League 2024-25 season. After initially signing a deal with Sony, the AIFF abruptly switched to an inexperienced entity, causing concerns among sponsors and club owners.
As the Indian team goes through a transition phase, head coach Manolo Marquez is experimenting with different combinations and giving chances to young players to identify the next big star. However, the team remains unsettled, with the experienced duo of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan carrying the burden of responsibility at the back. The team's ultimate goal is to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup, and Marquez faces the challenging task of achieving this for the third consecutive time. With a competitive group and their first match scheduled for March 25 next year, the Blue Tigers have their work cut out for them.
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