All you need to know about the inaugural Hero Intercontinental Cup
As 2018 enters its sixth month this June, it’s time for the football fans around the country to gear up and watch their favourite national stars take on the field, two and a half months after the culmination of the fourth edition of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL).
As 2018 enters its sixth month this June, it’s time for the football fans around the country to gear up and watch their favourite national stars take to the field, two and a half months after the culmination of the fourth edition of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Stephen Constantine’s men are getting ready for the inaugural four-nation Hero Intercontinental Cup organised by the AIFF from June 1 onward.
This inaugural tournament is being considered as a platform to test India’s solidity against other strong oppositions, which would further strengthen their preparation for the highly-anticipated AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. After a series of fantastic international performances, India was able to earn their fourth qualification to the continental championship, their second in eight years, with the last being in 2011 at Doha. Here we take a look at what we can expect over the next two weeks.
Participating Nations:
As the name suggests, three nations representing three continental confederations from around the world will locks horns with India in the first edition. The countries are Chinese Taipei from the AFC (Asian Football Confederation), New Zealand from the OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) and Kenya from the CAF (Confederation of African Football).
Competition Format and Details:
The tournament will witness the four teams playing each other over the course of eight days, from June 1st to 8th. Thereafter, the two top nations will clash swords in the all-important Final on June 10.
All the seven matches will be hosted at the Mumbai Football Arena and broadcasted live on the Star Sports Network from 8 pm onward.
Fixtures:
India’s 30-man Squad
Goalkeepers:
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC), Amrinder Singh (Mumbai City FC), Vishal Kaith (FC Pune City), Sanjiban Ghosh (Jamshedpur FC)
Defenders:
Subhasish Bose (Bengaluru FC), Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters FC), Lalruatthara (Kerala Blasters FC), Souvik Chakrabarti (Jamshedpur FC), Anas Edathodika (Jamshedpur FC), Salam Ranjan Singh (East Bengal), Jerry Lalrinzuala (Chennaiyin FC), Narayan Das (FC Goa), Pritam Kotal (Delhi Dynamos FC), Davinder Singh (Mumbai City FC)
Midfielders:
Rowllin Borges (NorthEast United FC), Halicharan Narzary (NorthEast United FC), Dhanpal Ganesh (Chennaiyin FC), Anirudh Thapa (Chennaiyin FC), Udanta Singh (Bengaluru FC), Mohammed Rafique (East Bengal), Bikash Jairu (Jamshedpur FC), Pronay Halder (FC Goa), Laldanmawia Ralte (East Bengal), Ashique Kuruniyan (FC Pune City)
Forwards:
Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC), Balwant Singh (Mumbai City FC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC), Seiminlen Doungel (NorthEast United FC), Alen Deory (Shillong Lajong FC), Manvir Singh (FC Goa)
Ranked highest amongst their opponents, all eyes will be glued on the Indian stars to deliver the odds and add another silverware to the national cabinet.
So, don your national team jerseys and get your voices behind the team, as it’s time to #BackTheBlue.
