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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Thursday came out with the final plan of the 'Goal 2011' project for the national team's preparation for the 2011 Asian Cup.

According to the project, the top 25-28 players in the country will be selected and kept together for the 2010-11 season till the Asian Cup in January. During this period the players will not be allowed to represent their respective clubs, but instead take part in a focussed training program that will cost around Rs.400 million.

The project has created discontent among the I-League clubs, who will be missing their best players ofr a major part of the season.

The AIFF is also likely to suspend the I-League and the Federati on Cup for eight months, something that will please neither the club owners, the team sponsors nor the fans.

The Goal 2011 plan will start this year from June 25 with camps at home for both the senior and the Olympic team. This year India will be playing two international tournaments - the Nehru Cup in August, and the SAFF Cup in December.

In 2010, the national team will prepare its final run for the Asian Cup by playing in the AFC Challenge Cup in February-March and then from June they won't be allowed to represent their clubs till the end of the Asian Cup.

The AIFF said in a statement that it can finalise the dates of the friendlies after the venues of the AFC Challenge Cup and the SAFF Tournament are decided.

"Once this is known we will be able to confirm dates for the camps, friendly matches and international tournaments. It is essential that the national team trains together for sufficient number of days and participates in international competitions and friendly matches," the AIFF said in a statement.

 

Fixtures:

2009

June 25: Camp in India (senior and Olympic team)

July 5-Aug 5: Camp in Portugal/Spain (senior team only) and friendlies

July 5-Aug 15: Camp in India (only Olympic team)

Aug 19-Aug 31: ONGC Nehru Cup/International Tournament

Nov 15-Nov 30: Camp Olympic Team

Nov 15-Dec 5: Camp national Team

Dec 1-Dec 15: SAFF Tournament/Friendly Matches

 

2010

Feb: Camp for Olympic team and national team

Feb-Mar: AFC Challenge Cup and Friendly Matches

June 16-Jan 31: Camps, tournaments, international friendlies for senior team, Olympic and Asian Games teams