India's Football Fiasco: The Brazil Match Exposes a Deeper Crisis The recent announcement of a friendly match between India and Brazil has been met with excitement from some quarters, but for many in the country's football community, it's a welcome distraction at best.
Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia's scathing criticism of the scheduling has brought to light a long standing issue within the sport: India's inability to balance spectacle with substance.
Bhutia's concerns center around the timing of the Brazil match, which coincides with India's participation in the FIFA ASEAN Cup.