Longer calendar a fantastic move forward for Indian football, says Phil Brown

Phil Brown believes the 2022-23 season will be a gamechanger in Indian football with the re-introduction of the cup competitions along with the leagues, which will aid in developing the sport in the country. The increase in the number of matches will also provide youngsters a way into the national squad in time for the AFC Asian Cup next year, the former Hyderabad FC head coach feels. "For me, as far as coaches in India are concerned, it is manna from heaven.

It is a fantastic move forward for Indian football. As a foreign coach coming to India, all we want to do is train with the players. We call it contact time.

The more contact time you have with the players, the better chance the player has of improving. It is the most important part in my opinion for the improvement of individuals," said Brown. "The elongation of the season, taking it into nine months takes contact time to another level.

It helps the game to expand and improve but it also helps the coaches in knowing the players better from a psychological point of view. The whole package is now nothing but a positive for an Indian player." The domestic football season is set to begin in August this season with the Durand Cup. Indian Super League and I-League begin in October while the season ends with Super Cup in May 2023, completing close to nine months of football.

Brown thinks the increased number of matches will open the doors for many youngsters wanting to break into the Indian national team. India qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for a second straight time. The continental event is scheduled for June next year.