'No respect from players' - Indian football fans fume after Uzbekistan game in AFC Asian Cup

Dipro has been the Khel Now correspondent of Mohammedan SC since their debut season in the Indian Super League.

Published at :January 19, 2024 at 12:59 PM

Modified at :January 19, 2024 at 12:59 PM

Uzbekistan registered a strong display to outwit the Indian football team.

Asian Football Confederation’s Continental showpiece, the AFC Asian Cup 2023 is already underway with its second round in the group stage. After losing 2-0 to the Socceroos in the opening fixture of the campaign, India were up against Uzbekistan in their Round 2 clash.

After the first half, the White Wolves had earned a 3-0 lead. None of the teams gave up a goal in the second half, with India’s defense displaying great resolve. When the game ended with a final score of 3-0, Indian football fans and netizens alike took to the internet to express their displeasure with the team’s post-game response to their supporters.

Despite their inability to produce the expected outcomes, none of the players lingered on the field to thank the supporters. The fans who travelled to Qatar to support their country were quite disappointed by the Indian players’ actions, which happened for a second time. Similar behavior was also seen when the Australian players thanked the supporters following the Blue Tigers’ opening match against Australia. Nevertheless, the Indian players kept their heads down as they stepped off the field.

Several fans responses were seen on Twitter (X), expressing their discontent with this unexpected behavior.

Thoughts go to the 60,000 Indian fans who attended the first two matches in Qatar. India for a nation with average performance in Asia has the best fans in terms of sheer numbers even overseas. They cheered every single move with the ball at our feet. The Team should thank them!
— Sayak Dipta Dey (@sayakdd28) January 18, 2024

These players get paid so much that they forget who they are playing for. Not one player comes to acknowledge the fans who’ve shown up for @IndianFootball . Players of other countries come and apologise to their fans if they lose. Our players zero respect forget an apology.
— Blue Pilgrims 🇮🇳 (@BluePilgrims) January 18, 2024

Feel for the peeps who have travelled from India and those locals who came to the stadium and still were treated like this! Acknowledgement is basic! These fans sing their hearts out for 90 mins! Coming to the stadium takes a toll on them financially, mentally and physically! https://t.co/SCKmahxvoq
— Akshay Dutia (@akshaycfc30) January 18, 2024

We Fans are always there, supporting through thick and thin. But no support from Federation, no respect from players. Not something you will be happy about if you had travelled to Doha.
— Swapnil Padte (@IslanderSwappy) January 18, 2024

expecting that players will come and been waited for 15 mins after the match 🤧never forget that these 35k+ indian fans came to stadium post their works and someone took unplanned leaves for cheering you guys ! @IndianFootball @chetrisunil11 never expected this 😏… https://t.co/6FL3p0YuzK
— Navaneethan Naveen ♥️ (@Navaneethan1740) January 18, 2024

You ask the fans to support you, they sacrifice a lot to do this, and it will always remain whether you win or lose. The respect has to be mutual, appreciate what the fans do. https://t.co/hyIYqqrYGJ
— Siddharth Mishra (@sidmish17) January 18, 2024

In their last group-stage match, India will play Syria. Although they need to win to maintain any chance of progressing further in the continental tournament, the goal difference may be seen as a spoiler. Here are some additional comments left by the fans on Twitter (X).

Thailand players go toward fans during every moment and Sing the unity anthem. They celebrate success together.Here the relationship between fans & body is isolated. It's one-sided. Always been. They don't want to take accountability for their work. https://t.co/NThJeK6NzA
— Tanuj Birua (@supersonicbirua) January 18, 2024

These players forget they are 110 in the FIFA rankings. No player of their calibre have the remotest of limelight as they do. Should be grateful, instead full of unfounded ego. https://t.co/rGEanIl4m3
— Blue Pilgrims 🇮🇳 (@BluePilgrims) January 18, 2024

Was about to tweet this; same happened in last game; Australian players came to say thanks but Indian
— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) January 18, 2024

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Dipro Mukherjee

Dipro is a Sports journalist who has covered various sports since 2020. In 2023, he joined Khel Now and shifted his focus solely towards Indian football. Since then, he has been covering tourneys such as the Indian Super League, the I-League, the Super Cup, and the Durand Cup in the domestic circuit. He has also covered the Intercontinental Cup and the AFC Asian Cup in Asian football.