I'm sure that both India and Pakistan have national football teams, but their main craze is cricket. Another good hand down from the Brits.
I've been to India a few times and if there's a test series between England and India at the time, it's amazing. More than 100,000 people packed into the ground in Calcutta. Similar numbers all over the sub-continent as well. And that dosn't take into account the millions that are watching on TV. It's mad!!!
A good friend of mine was responsible for bringing over the Afghani cricket team to England a couple of years ago. Ok, they didn't play a full international, but they certainly did compete with a few county sides. I don't know how they fared, but I remember telling my friend that it was better the Afghanis play cricket, rather than polo. (I seem to remember that the Afghanis used to play that game on horseback with a severed head as the ball). Nice game, eh?
Anyway, I sincerely hope we don't have to explain the finer points of cricket to you, Pete. It'll just take too long. Imagine sitting in the sunshine with as much beer or cider as you can drink, eating a bit of grub, falling asleep and then periodically waking up and clapping when a shot is made. It's really quick stuff, cricket, especially when it's played over 5 days!!!
A great game. Chess is easier. I'll leave the sub-continent to their own devices. I'm pretty sure football dosn't figure too highly on their list of priorities.
Bring on IKTS. It's only a month or so away
PS, I digressed - apologies. Didn't Vietnam win the Asain Cup last time round? I seem to remember that they usually beat Thailand. Maybe that was longer ago than I think, but certainly within the past 9 years.