India Football Schedule 2018–19: Timetable and Fixtures With List of Upcoming Matches of the Blue Tigers
Indian football team schedule for 2018-19.
In the recently concluded 2018 Intercontinental Cup, Indian football team defeated Chinese Taipei 5-0 thanks to captain Sunil Chhetri’s hat-trick. Though not many, apart from regular Indian football fans, witnessed the action. Sadly, as per various reports, near about 2500 fans were present in the Mumbai Football Arena, which has a capacity of over 15000. Seeing the empty stands prompted Indian skipper to make a heartfelt appeal. Chhetri following the match against Chinese Taipei took to Twitter and in a video message appealed fans to come to stadiums to watch their national team play. Rest as they say was history. Subsequently, India’s matches against Kenya and New Zealand were sold out as fans braved the rains to watch the Blue Tigers play.
Chhetri’s plea worked as a wonder and fans thronged the stadiums. Also in the finals, the stadium was jam-packed as Indian football team did not disappoint its fans to defeat Kenya 2-0 to win the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. They way Chhetri and team Indian performed it has left fans asking for more. Football fans in this part of the world now seem to wait in anticipation to see their team play. Hopefully, the excitement is not short lived. Sunil Chhetri Wins Intercontinental Cup for India: Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Sania Mirza & Others Hail the Feat.
Meanwhile, as far as Indian football team’s schedule at home is concerned, there is not much to brag about. Reportedly, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has slotted two friendlies towards the end of 2018 and that will help the team prepare for AFC Asia Cup early next year. Besides it, India’s next assignment will be SAFF Championship 2018 in September.
Here’s a look at India football team schedule for 2018-19:
| Match | Competition | Date and Time (IST) | Venue |
| India vs Sri Lanka | SAFF Championship | 05 September 2018; TBD | Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka |
| India vs Maldives | SAFF Championship | 09 September 2018; TBD | Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka |
| India vs Syria | Intl Friendly | October/November | TBD |
| India vs Saudi Arabia | Intl Friendly | October/November | TBD |
| Thailand vs India | AFC Asian Cup | 06 January 2019, 8 PM | Al Nahyan Stadium, Dubai |
| India vs UAE | AFC Asian Cup | 10 January 2019, 10:30 PM | Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| India vs Bahrain | AFC Asian Cup | 14 January 2019, 10:30 PM | Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah |
If all goes well, the Indian football team could play two more matches, semifinal and final, in the SAFF Championship. India are slotted against the Maldives and Sri Lanka in Group B of the SAFF Championship 2018. While the fans have responded positively and shown interest in the football team, the onus now lies with governing body to try and schedule more matches for the national side. Meanwhile, India are currently placed 97th in the FIFA Rankings and a consistent performance from them will definitely help them climb the ladder.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).