Is South Asian football slipping into oblivian?
By Sushil Thapa
(March 2003)

By lifting the SAFF Cup Bangladesh had their cherished dream fulfilled at last. The wait was long and bitter but they came out trump at the end. Kudos to the Bangladesh booters for their accomplishment most needed to boost football popularity on the wane in the country.

Maldives, the newest force in the region once again were under the spotlight for their gritty brand of football. It was a story of so near yet so far for the islanders as they went down in the penalty shoot outs in the final. The kind of leap they have taken in football in the last few years has been amazing and dramatic. From minnows they have risen to a power house status in South Asian football. Their latest success can be attributed to their government's all out effort and commitment to push Maldives football to the pinnacle. Should they continue to make progress at this pace they are bound to dominate regional football competitions.

Underrated Pakistan was the surprise package, reaching the last four. They made a stunning start to the championship, shocking defending champions India in the opener and rolled on to reach the semifinals but stumbled against Maldives, thus denying themselves a place in the finals. There is plenty of room for improvement for a team like Pakistan studded with promising players. More importantly, the government needs to prioritize the game just like cricket if they hope to elevate football to new heights.

Sri Lanka's failure was a huge disappointment. The islanders fielded a youthful team, lacking experience and thrust which ultimately contributed to their debacle. Talent wise the team is rich but the government has to play a bigger role to make football more meaningful and productive.

Afghanistan's participation was one of the highlights of this year's championship. Their message was clear and loud," We are desperate to bounce back to international sports." The players played their hearts out and displayed glimpses of their skills. Nevertheless, it was a reasonably good tournament for a team who could not train a year ago because their play grounds had been turned into killing fields by the then Tailban rulers. To have expected a better performance from them is unfair. It's going to take awhile for them to settle down and start making inroads.

Bhutan in their first SAFF appearance played mediocre football but were a spirited lot. They were the weakest link in the championship. Bhutan Football Federation needs to embrace pragmatic programs to help their footballers and provide football a shot in the arm, which is a must.  

Defending champions India, hoping to complete a hat-trick of titles finished a poor third. They played listless and sloppy football throughout. They got off to a disastrous start, losing to Pakistan in the opener and never really recovered. In absence of a handful of key players, including star player Baichung Bhuita, they struggled and looked a very ordinary outfit.

Once again Nepal cut a sorry figure, falling by the road side. Two defeats and one win had the team packing home. In the crucial tie against Maldives they were out of steam, allowing them to bounce back from a goal deficit and pocket the game. There is no excuse for the team's lackadaisical showing because they lost to superior opponents well prepared. The team was wanting in every department of the game, be it offense or midfield or defense.

The Nepali squad came into the tournament inadequately prepared. A couple of days of closed camp prior to the tourney was all they had in the name of training. We are aware that the on going feud between various All Nepal Football Associations (ANFA) has put football development on hold. Unless the ring of uncertainly, surrounding Nepal football is lifted nothing positive is going to materialize despite united ANFA boss Ganesh Thapa's claims of having things under his control. As a matter of fact, the problem remains unresolved and Thapa's adversaries very much alive and active.

In retrospect there is nothing to rave about the championship. All in all it was technically and strategically a sub-par football one witnessed with players displaying limited versatility, professionalism and imagination. The reality is that today South Asian football stands at a crossroads. Something drastic and dramatic needs to be undertaken to invigorate and boost football standards in the region, which is gradually slipping into oblivion.          

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