Toyota Yaris La Liga World: Five reasons why it is a must watch

The tournament is the first of its kind to be staged in India.

The Toyota Yaris La Liga World, pre-season tournament is set to take place in Kochi from 24-28 July. Featuring Spanish side Girona FC, A-League outfit Melbourne City and hosts Kerala Blasters, the event is the first of its kind to be organized on Indian shores. It will bring international quality football home to Indian audiences and where better to host it than in Kochi. The anticipation for this tournament is really high among the football-crazy southerners as they gear up for the upcoming season.

Here are five reasons why you must absolutely watch this event.

5. International level of football on Indian shores

Melbourne City FC who ply their trade in the A-League Down Under are managed by former Wigan manager, Warren Joyce. The tactician inspired them to a third-place finish and also qualified for the final round of the league.

Whereas Spanish team Girona FC who were recently promoted to Spain's La Liga have garnered all the headlines by finishing 10th in the league and defeating some of the bigs boys in Spain, especially Real Madrid.

The tournament will begin from July 24

So, it is quite evident that the level of football on show will be pretty high and that will surely fill the stands. La Liga World is modelled around other pre-season tournaments all around the world, where top teams from the globe play each other in their preparation for the new season. So, with international stars and better quality of football, it's a tournament that no football fanatic would like to miss.

4. Prelude to the action-packed Indian football season

It may be a pre-season tournament, but the anticipation and excitement among the football fanatics for this event is unreal. So the tournament will definitely give a hint of what we can be expected in the action-packed Indian football season.

Pre-season tournaments like this will always attract people and when you are in a football-crazy state like Kerala, the atmosphere tends to get even more electrifying. So, this is a great way of introducing a new season.

3. National team defensive duo first time in club colors

Sandesh Jinghan has been a fan-favourite for Kerala Blasters and now their will an be another addition to that list. With the acquisition of Anas Edathodika, the defensive duo of the national team will be seen for the first time in club colors. All eyes will be on Edathodika as the local-boy will be in action for the first time in a KBFC shirt.

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The defence was an area of concern for the Blasters last season and David James has made sure that he got hold of one of the best defenders in India. The addition also means that the brotherly bond between the duo will also be on display week-in-week-out in the ISL.

Sandesh Jhingan could be a vital member for Kerala Blasters against Girona FC and Melbourne City FC

2. Kochi crowd never disappoints

The football-crazy state of Kerala is always up for any footballing event. Starting from their Sevens Football tournament to backing their ISL side, they are never short of support. So, the ambience at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has always been electric and it is like an ocean of yellow all around. Hence, the supporters are often compared with those of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, who boast one of the most passionate fans in the world.

This will be a new experience for the people of Kerala and they should come out and back their team with all guns blazing.

1. This can be the water test for India to host many more tournaments like this in the future

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The Toyota Yaris Cup is definitely a step in the right direction for Indian football and this will be a big test for Kerala Blasters and the supporters to come out in numbers and make this pre-season tournament a huge success. They may arrange for more events like this in the future if they get a good response, hence people should come out and support their team.

Tickets are available on Paytm.