FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Kolkata to host India Vs Afghanistan clash

The match is set to be played on June 9 at the Salt Lake Stadium in the city.

In it's most recent move, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Emergency Committee has approved the Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan Stadium, commonly known as Salt Lake Stadium, to host the Blue Tigers' FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against Afghanistan. The game against Afghanistan is set to take place in the city on June 9, eight months after India last played at the venue in a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

The Indian football team, which is currently ranked 108 in the FIFA rankings, faced Afghanistan on November 14 last year - in a game which ended in a 1-1 draw, courtesy of goals from Zelfy Nazary and Seiminlen Doungel. Afghanistan, who are currently at the 149th position in the rankings, have since faced the Asian champions Qatar at home in a narrow 0-1 defeat.

https://twitter.com/IndianFootball/status/1234388754590138368

The Blue Tigers, who have had little luck under Igor Stimac until now, will be facing Qatar at home in the return leg of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier on March 26, before travelling to face Tajikistan in a friendly match on March 31. India will also be facing Bangladesh away on June 4 before returning home to face Afghanistan in their final match of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 2.

The AIFF's decision to host Afghanistan in Kolkata comes on a welcome note for the fans in the city, whose fandom was evident during the Blue Tigers' game against Bangladesh last year. However, the decision to choose Kolkata as the venue to host the match between India and Afghanistan also comes with merit as the infamous Indian summer will give a hard time in the country's other popular football venues, which will likely to experience heat waves during June.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Under the command of Igor Stimac, India have managed to grind out only one win since last year - against Thailand in the King's Cup. However, without immediate results against Qatar and Tajikistan in March, the future of the Croatian might come under scrutiny before the Indian football team host Afghanistan in June.