King's Cup 2019: India paired with Curacao, Thailand face Vietnam

The tournament is set to kick off on June 5 in Thailand.

With the King's Cup 2019 coming closer each passing day, the official draw for the tournament has taken place. The tournament will see India take on Curacao while hosts Thailand will face Vietnam.

The 47th edition of the King's Cup, organized by the Football Association of Thailand will see the likes of CONCACAF team Curacao along with Asian outfits Vietnam, India and hosts Thailand. Interestingly, Thailand and India were grouped together in the AFC Asian Cup group stage earlier this year, where the former were defeated 1-4 by the Blue Tigers. The tournament will take place in the Chang Arena in Buriram from June 5 onwards.

However, since the Asian Cup, the Blue Tigers do not have a head coach as Stephen Constantine parted ways with the side following their exit from the tournament. Meanwhile, Thailand also sacked head coach Milovan Rajevac after defeat against India and appointed Sirisak Yodyadthai as interim head coach, who will also be in-charge of the Thai side in the tournament.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is expected to announce the name of the next head coach of the national team in the next few days. The King's Cup will be the first tournament the new tactician will have to understand his side. Also, with veteran defender Anas Edathodika retiring from international football, it will be interesting for the Indian football fans to see who will replace the Kerala Blasters man in the national fold.

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India (101) ave been put together with Curacao, the highest FIFA ranked side in the tournament (82). Meanwhile, hosts Thailand (114) will face Vietnam (98).

Representating CONCACAF, Curacao are coached by Remko Bicentini. The 51-year-old Dutch born tactician has prior experience of managing Netherlands Antilles and several amatuer teams in the Netherlands.

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Interestingly, Indians have already seen one of the Curacaoan players in action in Guyon Fernandez, who was a part of Delhi Dynamos during the 2017-18 season.

Other than Fernandez, the Curacao national team also boasts of having top players playing in some of the top European leagues in Zeus de la Paz (Oldham Athletic), Kenji Gorre (CD Nacional), Charlison Benschop (De Graafschap) and are expected to give the Blue Tigers a run for their money in the tournament.