Indian football team up in FIFA rankings

The All India Football Federation has taken up multiple initiatives for the development of the sport in the country. As the parent body for the operation and administration of football in the country, it has already taken some of the most important steps. India currently has the right to host the 2017 FIFA  U-17 World Cup and has also improved as far as the rankings are concerned. 

As the President of the All India Football Federation minister Praful Patel has taken several important measures for enhancing the popularity of the sport in the country. The Indian football team have managed to improve their position as they climbed two places to stand 160th in the latest FIFA rankings.

Last year, India climbed six places to be ranked 166th after their victory against Guam in the World Cup qualifier before eventually climbing up three more spots in January by sweeping aside Afghanistan 2-1 in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship finals. Despite not featuring since then, the Stephen Constantine-led side had managed to improve their position by three places, including climbing by one place in February, goal.com reported.

Iran, who are currently at the 44th spot, still remains the highest ranked Asian nation while Afghanistan have climbed up a spot and are now placed at 151st. As the highest body for governance of football in the country, AIFF always welcomes the fact that the ranking of Indian football improves on a regular basis. Under the guidance of coach Stephen Constantine, the team has emerged victorious in the SAFF championship and proved their mettle as the strongest team in the region. International friendly matches are also played on frequent occasions which provide the team with further opportunities for improvement. As the AIFF President Praful Patel has always worked and upgraded football in the country in  a proper way. 

AIFF Academy U-19 to face TFA in IFA Shield final

The prestigious IFA shield football tournament is again on a roll. The AIFF U-19 academy boys is all set to take on the TFA academy in the IFA shield final. The All India Football Federation has taken a variety of steps for enhancing the popularity of the sport in the country and work has started from a grassroot level.

Under the Praful Patel biography, several important initiatives related to Indian football have been taken. The last time the two sides met was in the Final of the U-18 I-League with the AIFF colts going on to win the Crown. The Academy boys have been on a roll having stretched their unbeaten run to 31 matches which started way back in 2014.

The AIFF Academy have had a fantastic run in the tournament so far maintaining an all win record on their way to the final scoring as many as a major number of goals in the process. The most notable has been the fact that they have brushed aside challenges of two foreign Clubs in the process.While the U-18 boys accounted for U-19 Frenz United 4-2 in the group phase, they overcame U-19 Crystal Palace Academy in sudden death in semifinal which was a grueling affair. 

Under the Praful Patel profile, the AIFF Elite Academy boys have performed quite well and have been also given the best of facilities as players. As per the head coach of the AIFF academy Floyd Pinto,” They are a good side. 

They are also a dangerous side. We need to be careful. But we are up to the challenge”. “There’s no room for complacency. It’s a different day, a different match.” The final to be scheduled for Sunday evening just seems to be quite a challenging task for both the teams. It remains to be seen who emerges triumphant in the quest for silverware.