Panaji: The

(AIFF) may push for postponement of the fourth round of Indian Super League (ISL) matches to allow the national team train for a longer period before two crucial away games in the

World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

The AIFF has called for a meeting with the national team department and ISL organisers on Thursday.

The draw against Bangladesh at the

in Kolkata has pegged India back in their quest to move to the next phase. Should they drop more points in their next two matches against Afghanistan (November 14) and Oman (November 19), even staying in contention for a place in the Asian Cup 2023 will seem doubtful.

Coach

is understood to have raised concerns with the AIFF that his team will be able to have just one full training session before they play Afghanistan in Dushanbe.

“Afghanistan have chosen Dushanbe (capital of Tajikistan) for a reason. They know they can make life difficult for teams there. They know the conditions will be tough, and if the Indian team doesn’t have adequate preparations for such a crucial encounter, it will be asking for trouble,” said a senior official.

The problem for Stimac and his boys is that the last ISL match before the international break is between

and

on November 10, while the team flies out to Dushanbe the next night. Even if some ISL franchises release their players earlier, Bengaluru have five of their players in the Indian first eleven, while Chennaiyin’s

and Lallianzuala Chhangte also have important roles to play.

“The team will leave for Dushanbe on the night of November 11. It will be a long flight which means by the time they reach the destination, they will be tired. If November 12 is allowed for the players to rest and recover, November 13 will be the only day they can have a full training session,” said the official.

Stimac will watch the next two rounds of the ISL before deciding if he needs to make any additions to his team. With the defence all at sea against Bangladesh and

ruled out, a few defensive reinforcements may be needed.

“We are trying to sort it out. The coach says 4-5 days camp (is needed), we are definitely trying to work it out,” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das.

Sources said an agreement was reached in September that ISL clubs would release players for a longer camp before the Bangladesh tie and stick to Fifa guidelines for the remainder of the matches.

“It is unfair to point an accusing finger at the ISL. This was discussed and agreed upon by all parties during a meeting in September. Changing the schedule will be a difficult task,” said a source who has been tracking the developments.