All India Football Federation has been a laughing stock for some time. Reports of incompetence, corruption and amateurism have been following the organisation for years, but the latest findings have made the AIFF a laughing stock. It’s come to public knowledge that the federation had hired a motivational agency to help the team qualify for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. And they did qualify. But the agency that was paid around $20,400 turned out to be an astrology agency!Thursday, 21.00: (2.30) Abha (2.90) Al Faiha (3.35)A national team insider told the Indian website Sports Rapid that the players didn’t get much motivation.”A motivator was appointed for the national team ahead of the Asian Cup. Later on, it came to light that the contracted company was, in fact, an astrological firm. Plainly speaking, an astrologer was appointed to motivate the team.”Now, the national team, nicknamed the Blue Tigers, managed to qualify for the most significant Asian tournament by topping their qualifying group – and there is still an uproar in the world’s second-highest populated country. Imagine what it would be like had the team failed to make the finals!Congratulations to #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 on qualifying for 2023 Asian Cup!India remained unbeaten and topped the Group with 9 points, now our boys are set for their back to back appearance at the event.Leading from the front Capt Sunil Chhetri on scoring 4 goals in 3 matches! pic.twitter.com/4P5iB1rEYY— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) June 15, 2022 The Blue Tigers might have prospered by the so-called motivation or perhaps by something in the stars, but we’re inclined to credit their long-serving captain Sunil Chhetri. The 37-year-old attacker led the team with four goals from three matches to take the national team to the finals. India began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Cambodia, and then they secured a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Afghanistan before beating Hong Kong 4-0 to qualify as group toppers. It’s the first time India managed to qualify for two consecutive Asian Cups, having just missed out on the knockout stage in 2019.The AIFF will have much explaining to do before the national team sets off for the finals in Qatar next year. Maybe they’ll hire an astrologer to tell them what would happen next.
