With the AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifiers around the corner, and the confirmation that there will be no dearth of tickets for the three matches on June 8, 11 and 14, is music to the ears of the Indian football community.
Two local boys of the Indian men’s football team, Pritam Kotal and Subhasish Bose, are absolutely elated that the Blue Tigers will once again play in front of enthusiastic fans at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Kreerangan in Kolkata.
“Kolkata is the Mecca of Indian football. The fans here are great. So many clubs have dedicated fans here, and the best part is that they all come together to cheer. India When we play as a nation in this city,” Subhashish said. “I expect there will be a lot of noise from the stands. This will encourage all of us. From our side, we have to repay them with the qualification for the AFC Asian Cup.
The Blue Tigers last played against their own loyalists in 2019 and Pritam Kotal feels the team can feel the home advantage once again.
“It is a big advantage for us to play in front of our fans. Especially because we haven’t been able to play in front of our own fans for a long time due to COVID. So, I want to encourage all the fans to come forward and support us in these three games. We will try to give our best – together we can,” Kotal said.
While the anticipation for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers increases manifold every day, both the Blue Tigers defenders are focusing on the crucial work ahead as they prepare to face Cambodia (June 8). Afghanistan (June 11), and Hong Kong (June 14).
“Qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup is absolutely vital for us as a nation, and all of us in the team are completely focused on that. We will try our best and hopefully reach the right place in the tournament. We need to take it match by match, and we have to do well in our next three games,” quipped Kotal.
“All the teams in this group are very capable of beating each other and it will be a very tough fight. We need to make sure that we do all the positive things both on and off the ground and the results will come.”
Subhashish Bose recalled the previous edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2019, when the Blue Tigers played in front of a packed stand in the UAE.
“It was an amazing feeling in the UAE. So many Indian fans came on the field there, it was great. We had tried our best then, but we could not make it to the knockout rounds. Of course, we will be in the next edition. Would love to go one better – but first, we need to qualify – and for that, we need to do well in these three upcoming matches,” Bose insisted.
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