Indian Football Team: Blue Tigers to get only one week worth of World Cup qualifiers preparation

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India had an awful run in the AFC Asian Cup campaign. However, coach Igor Stimac was always clear about his stance on the tournament. He has said a few times his focus is on the World Cup qualifiers.

The next two matches for the Indian football team will be against Afghanistan in the last week of March. Reportedly, Stimac wanted a month-long break for the matches. However, as per the new Indian Super League schedule, that will not be possible.

The Indian Super League has already been on a month-long break in January due to the Kalinga Super Cup and the AFC Asian Cup. The second half of the ISL league stage games are set to be held from January 31 to April 14.

The Indian football team is set to play two World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan on March 21 and 26. Prior to the AFC Asian Cup, coach Igor Stimac said that he wants another month-long break to prepare for those matches in March.

However, it seems that the coach will not be getting his wish fulfilled. As per the new Indian Super League schedule for the 2nd half, their matches halt on March 14. The tournament will be on a break for only 15 days.

It will commence again on March 30. Hence, the Indian football team will only get a week's worth of preparation before they take on Afghanistan in their first match of the break. India had their worst AFC Asian Cup run in the tournament's history.

Hence, more time to prepare would have done them a world of good. However, even though they will have a very short time on hand, India will also get back a number of key players.

The ones they missed during the AFC Asian Cup with injuries. Coach Stimac previously said, “Our final goal is to qualify for the third round of World Cup qualifiers.” Hopefully, India will be able to establish their goal with the cards they have been dealt with.