Asian Games 2018: India misses out as draws are official

The IOA had decided against sending the men’s and women’s football teams to Indonesia this time after it failed to meet the qualifying criteria set by the Olympic body.

The Indian men’s football team was hoping to use the Asian Games as a build up for next year’s AFC Asian Cup.

It’s official now. The Indian football teams have no chance of competing in the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia as the country didn’t feature in the event’s official draws released today.

The Indian Olympic Association had decided against sending the men’s and women’s football teams to Indonesia this time after it failed to meet the qualifying criteria set by the Olympic body.

The IOA chose not to clear Indian men’s and women’s football teams after deeming them “incompetent” to win any medals. The Indian men’s football team was hoping to use the Asian Games as a build up for next year’s AFC Asian Cup. The decision has led to a controversy with All India Football Federation calling IOA’s decision “myopic”.

READ: AIFF willing to send football team to Asian Games on own cost

The move can be seen as a retrospective one given that Indian football has been witnessing a steady rise in the past few years. The national side has jumped from 173 to 97 in the FIFA rankings, qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and has successfully hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The ‘Blue Tigers’ is currently ranked 14th in Asia, after a string of recent good performances in international matches.

Meanwhile, according to the draw, 24 teams will be competing in the men’s event, while the women’s category will have 11 nations.

Host Indonesia drew Hong Kong, Laos and Chinese Taipei in Group A of the U-23 men’s tournament, which allows each country to field three over-age players.

Group B has Thailand, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh and Qatar, while Group C will see 2014 bronze medallist Iraq, China PR, Timor-Leste and Syria.

Japan was the seeded team in Group D and it was drawn with Vietnam, Pakistan and Nepal. DPR Korea, the 2014 silver medallist, will face Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran and Myanmar in Group F.

The top two teams in each group along with the four best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16. Men’s football will be contested from August 14 to September 1 in Jakarta and Palembang.

The women’s competition, meanwhile, saw host Indonesia drawn with 2014 bronze medallist Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei and Maldives in Group A.

The 11-team competition will see 2014 champion DPR Korea in Group B with China, Hong Kong and Tajikistan, while Group C has 2014 silver medallist Japan, Vietnam and Thailand.

The top three teams from Group A and B, together with the top two teams from Group C, will advance to the quarterfinals. Women’s football competition will be held from August 16 to 31.