Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will withdraw from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup if it’s not allowed to field a reserve side, since the main team will feature against Brazil at home during the Sept-Oct international match window.India have been invited by the governing body for world football to take part in the inaugural ASEAN Cup, a tournament designed for southeast Asian nations in a format that follows in the footsteps of the popular Arab Cup. The tournament kicks off on Sept 24 and the final clashes with India’s high-profile friendly against five-time world champions Brazil at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Oct 3.“We will write to the organisers to see if they can allow our B team,” AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan told TOI after the executive committee meeting on Thursday. “If it’s not allowed, we don’t have a choice but withdraw. Members feel the Brazil game is a unique opportunity to provide our players with invaluable exposure against one of the world’s strongest footballing nations. We have chances to play against southeast Asian teams, but Brazil is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the players.”India have been slotted into group A of Division 1 for ASEAN Cup and will face hosts Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia in the group stage. The group winners will play the division final, giving participants four competitive games.“I was a bit surprised when members suggested the priority should be a friendly against Brazil,” said former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who opposed the move during the executive committee meeting in the Capital. “ASEAN Cup is a very good tournament with teams far better than what we face at SAFF Championship. It’s a good level, one where FIFA could have it biannually.“There’s participation money, good prize money on offer and four very good competitive games. This is far better for Indian football than a single friendly against Brazil where fans will talk about the game for 90 minutes, but it won’t help us in the long run. The federation has no money too (to pay Brazil). We can always try and get Brazil to play in the future.”Every team at the ASEAN Cup can expect to be guaranteed $125,000 (approx. Rs 1.2 crore) and also earn bonuses for each win or draw. The winners will receive $1 million (approx. Rs 9.5 crore).In contrast, AIFF must raise approx. Rs 60-70 crore for the Brazil friendly through sponsors, ticket sales, broadcast and state govt support.BIBIANO TOP CHOICEBibiano Fernandes has been recommended as coach, subject to his acceptance, for the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan later this month. According to sources, the former India U-17 coach has been offered a one-year contract but is hesitant to accept due to differences over other appointments, particularly the manager.AIFF has approved the appointment of Ranjit Bajaj as manager. Bajaj owns the successful Chandigarh-based Minerva Academy and recently made a presentation for the technical committee with a plan to take India to the 2034 World Cup.Should Bibiano turn down the offer, Minerva Academy technical director Surinder Singh features high on the technical committee’s list. Singh is an AFC Pro-licensed coach.WAITING FOR JAMSHEDPURThe AIFF will write to the management of Jamshedpur FC, asking it to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the top tier Indian Super League (ISL). Sources said Jamshedpur will be allowed time till Aug 12, two days before the final deadline for clubs to pay the participation fee of Rs 1.10 crore in full.
