Kolkata, Oct 15: Crestfallen at national team’s failure to qualify for AFC 2027 Asian Cup, former captain Bhaichung Bhutia has called on India to move away from glamorous European football models and instead emulate Asian nations such as Uzbekistan and Jordan, who have achieved consistent success with modest resources.
India crashed out of qualification race AFC Asian Cup with a 1-2 defeat to Singapore in Margao on Tuesday. The defeat followed a 1-1 draw in the away leg. India missed out on the continental tournament for the first time since its expansion in 2019.
“It’s very disappointing because the Asia Cup is something we should at least be qualifying for regularly. When 24 teams qualify for the Asia Cup and you still can’t make it, then it’s very, very disappointing,” the 48-year-old Indian football icon said.
“Indian football should not just copy European models or chase glamour. We should look at Asian countries like Uzbekistan and Jordan – how they have developed and qualified regularly.” (PTI)
