2016 year end Special: Ten things that happened in Indian football

by Chittu Shetty December 31, 2016

On the last day of the year Footballcounter takes a look back at ten noteworthy things that happened in Indian football this year.

The year 2016 has ended and with it brings a dimension for Indian football for the forthcoming year.  On the last day of the year, Football counter takes a look back at ten things in Indian football that made news this year in Indian sports circuits.

1. India won its 7^th SAFF title

The year started on a bright note with India winning its seventh SAFF title defeating Afghanistan 2-1 in a nail-biting finale which went till the extra-time. Jeje and Chettri scoring the goals for India with the latter’s extra-time goal turning the favors for India.

2. India bow out of World-cup Qualifiers

India’s dismal run in world-cup qualifiers continued, finishing bottom of the table after failing to win against Turkmenistan and Iran in the final stages of group stage. The last place finish in the table meant India had to go the play-off for participating in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

3. Bengaluru FC won its second I-league title

The new powerhouse of Indian football, Bengaluru FC won its second I-league title in their third year of existence, overcoming close competition from Mohan Bagan. Although in federation cup, Mohan Bagan won the title defeating Aizawl FC in the final.

4. Gurpreet Singh creates history

India’s new goalkeeping sensation Gurpreet Singh Sandhu created history when he became the first Indian to play in Europa league, Playing for his Norwegian club Stabæk in a Europa League tie against Wales’ Connah’s Quay Nomads on 30th June 2016.

Also Read: We Play On Merit, Not On Reputation: Ranjit Bajaj

5. India defeat Puerto Rico

Against the much higher ranked Puerto Rico side, India defeated the opponent 4-1 at the Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai playing its last international match of the year to finish with five wins in seven games. A shrewd thinking from the AIFF officials ensured that India gained considerable points to ensure that India finds a place in the pot 2 for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualification

6. BFC reach the finals of AFC cup

Bengaluru FC’s historic run in AFC cup continued till the final were they lost the game by a solitary goal to Iraq’s Air Force club. Their performances won applauds from different fraternities of the country as their historic journey was laced with incredible achievements like defeating the defending champions Johor Darul Tazim in the semi finals.

7. India U-16 shows high promise

The India U16s team showed high promises for future with their performances. In the U-16 Asia cup performances grouped against Asian powerhouse Iran, Saudi Arabia & UAE, India performed exceptionally drawing against Saudi and losing to both Iran and UAE. Despite the loss India performances against the opponent was over whelming. However, their real tests came in the BRICS U17 CUP hosted in Goa. Though India lost all four matches, their showing against all the more ‘developed’ opposition was heartening, considering they lost by close margins.

8. ATK wins its ISL 3

Atletico won its second title in three years defeating Kerala Blasters via Penalty in the finals to lift the trophy. The Jose Molina side was one of the most consistent side and defeated Mumbai over the two legged affair to enter the final where they defeated their former Inaugural edition finals opponent

9. AIFF wins in annual AFC awards

AIFF was conferred the prestigious AFC Developing Member Association of the Year Award at the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Annual FC Awards 2016. This award is generally handed to those members of the AFC who have achieved impeccable growth on the overall development of the game in their country, particularly grassroots and on country’s ability to host AFC qualifying and finals tournaments as well as their national and club teams’ placing in AFC and FIFA competitions throughout the year.

10. India Finish year at high

On ranking Scale India finished the year at 135^th rank their highest since 2009; thanks to an encouraging win against a higher ranked Puerto Rico side and AIFF officials shrewd thinking regarding planning of international matches. In the women’s ranking too, India finished the year at 54th rank, four places above the march ranking to cap off a positive year in the game.