Can’t comment for India, but for China:
Football is very popular in China. At least up until 10 years ago, it was plagued with so much blatant corruption, nepotism and alike that there would be no way to see good players emerging in major leagues and even less to see them making a difference in the field.
I remember seeing a game during which a very sketchy referee’s decision was welcome by a “It looks like team [xxx] will win tonight, as they play at home, and at home, everyone, really EVERYONE supports them!”.
Maybe nothing has changed and so the national team is made of… connected people more than skilled players.
Can’t comment for India, but for China:
Football is very popular in China. At least up until 10 years ago, it was plagued with so much blatant corruption, nepotism and alike that there would be no way to see good players emerging in major leagues and even less to see them making a difference in the field.
I remember seeing a game during which a very sketchy referee’s decision was welcome by a “It looks like team [xxx] will win tonight, as they play at home, and at home, everyone, really EVERYONE supports them!”.
Maybe nothing has changed and so the national team is made of… connected people more than skilled players.
Sounds like professional wraslin’