Venue for India Football team's AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Singapore revealed

India will play against Singapore on October 14.

The venue for the Indian football Team‘s upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match against Singapore has been confirmed. This match was earlier scheduled to be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

The Blue Tigers will play two qualifier matches in October. The first will be an away fixture on October 9, as they will travel to Singapore. In a quick turnaround, the national team will return home to play a reverse home fixture against the same team on October 14.

Also Read: AFC rejects Kanteerava Stadium for India clash against Singapore; AIFF hunt for new venue

Opportunity lost for Bengaluru

This AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Singapore was set to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. But the Asian Football Confederation rejected the stadium as the venue for the qualifier match. AFC cited poor maintenance of the pitch and other reasons to prohibit Bengaluru from hosting the fixture.

“The pitch is not in good condition, and a lot of other factors are also not favourable to hosting an international match. Bengaluru FC normally takes charge of the stadium for their home games (in the ISL), but with the club pausing operations, the venue has been found wanting. Exclusive access to the stadium was also an issue. The AIFF has now been asked to suggest an alternative venue, ” a source close to the development shared with TOI.

The match will now be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Fatorda) in Goa.

The AIFF was not pleased with the decision, but they had no option but to fall in line. Recently, in a press conference, the AIFF Vice President, NA Haris, expressed his disappointment over the decision from the AFC.

“We are very sad that the match is going somewhere else. Bangaloreans have missed the opportunity for a good football match. So we are not happy about it. But it was not in our control,” said AIFF Vice President NA Haris.

Must-win match for the Blue Tigers

The upcoming qualifiers will be must-win affairs for the Blue Tigers. After a draw and a loss in the first two matches, the Blue Tigers cannot afford to stumble. The team conceded a shocking defeat against Hong Kong in the last away qualifying fixture. With a solitary point, Khalid Jamil’s side are reeling at the bottom of the points table in Group H.

The newly appointed head coach, Khalid Jamil, will be at the helm of affairs the next time the Blue Tigers play the qualifiers. He has made an impressive start to his international managerial career with positive results in the CAFA Nations Cup.

However, the real test will be the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, where India’s qualification will be at stake. The Blue Tigers will have to qualify for the continental tournament to continue the steady progress of the country’s football.

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