All in readiness: The Indian group trains before its AFC qualifier in opposition to Hong Kong in Kochi.
| Advise Credit: Particular Plot
Kochi is gearing up for its date with world soccer after a decade-prolonged gap. India takes on Hong Kong in an Asia Cup qualifier on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.
The guests arrived at Kochi on Friday. The Blue Tigers be pleased already begun their discover classes on the Kerala Blasters coaching facility in Tripunithura.
The final time the Indian group played in Kochi used to be in 2016 (World Cup qualifying match in opposition to Turkmenistan). The Kerala Soccer Affiliation president, Navas Meeran, mentioned the association didn’t would prefer to fail to note the chance to bring world soccer support to Kerala.
“That’s why we took on the responsibility to host this match,” Navas suggested The Hindu. “The preparations are in corpulent swing. And we fabricate hope to secure a crowd for the match, especially with three gamers from Kerala within the Indian squad.”
No permission
Sahal Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan and Bijoy Varghese, on the opposite hand, may per chance per chance per chance now now not take fragment in a press conference as scheduled. They had been supposed to accompany coach Khalid Jamil for the clicking meet, but that may per chance per chance per chance now now not scoot forward, as the Better Cochin Pattern Authority (GCDA) did now now not give permission to use the stadium as the KFA had didn’t extinguish the charge in direction of lease and safety deposit.
Navas mentioned the topic had been resolved. “It used to be honest a technical field, though there used to be fault from our side, too,” he mentioned. “However incidents indulge in this should always aloof now now not happen. Now, we’re all taking a see forward to creating the match a success.”
Published – March 27, 2026 08:08 pm IST
