1 week ago
India Plans Panama Friendly as Brazil Match Preparations Continue
India is planning a football match against Panama before playing Brazil.
The Panama game may happen on September 26 or 27, but officials have not chosen a stadium.
India’s big match against Brazil is planned for October 3 in Kolkata.
Brazil’s football officials visited stadiums in Kolkata and Dhaka to check possible facilities.
They looked at the fields, dressing rooms, toilets, and other arrangements.
In Kolkata, they said the grass may need to become thicker to help prevent injuries.
Officials in Bangladesh said Brazil did not discuss training there before the India match.
India may also play another international friendly during the same period.
The All India Football Federation has reportedly signed a letter of intent for India to play Panama at home.
The Panama match could take place on September 26 or 27, although no venue has been finalized.
India is scheduled to face Brazil at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on October 3.
A Brazilian Football Confederation delegation inspected stadiums and facilities in Kolkata and Dhaka.
Brazilian officials reportedly raised concerns about grass density in Kolkata, while Bangladesh officials denied discussing Brazil training there.
- Who
- India, Panama, Brazil, the All India Football Federation, and the Brazilian Football Confederation are involved.
- What
- India is reportedly arranging a Panama friendly before its scheduled Brazil match, while Brazilian officials are inspecting facilities.
- Where
- The Panama venue has not been decided; the Brazil match is planned for Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, while stadiums in Kolkata and Dhaka were inspected.
- When
- The Panama match could be on September 26 or 27; India is scheduled to play Brazil on October 3, with another friendly possibly on October 6.
- Why
- The friendlies could improve India’s morale and rankings, while Brazil is assessing pitches and facilities ahead of its India match.
Reports and speculation
Officially stated positions
Brazil training in Dhaka
Reports and speculation
The Brazilian delegation’s Dhaka visit fueled speculation that Brazil could train there before travelling to Kolkata.
Officially stated positions
Bangladesh Football Federation official Iqbal Hossain said Brazil training in Dhaka was not discussed.
Use of Dhaka facilities
Reports and speculation
The inspection was viewed as potentially connected to Brazil’s preparations for the India match.
Officially stated positions
Iqbal Hossain said Brazil had mentioned possibly using a Dhaka stadium as a neutral venue or playing Bangladesh in the future, rather than discussing training before the India match.
Kolkata pitch condition
Reports and speculation
A source close to the developments said the grass density posed a potentially serious injury risk for Brazil players.
Officially stated positions
The grounds staff reportedly explained that the pitch had been affected by several recent Durand Cup matches and that work was continuing.
Key facts
- Scheduled marquee match
- India vs Brazil on October 3 at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
- Potential first friendly
- India vs Panama, possibly on September 26 or 27.
- Panama ranking
- Panama is ranked 44th in the world, according to the report.
- Potential additional friendly
- An international friendly on October 6 is being discussed, according to an AIFF official.
- Kolkata inspection
- The Brazilian delegation reviewed the stadium, dressing rooms, toilets, hygiene facilities, and hotel arrangements.
- Pitch concern
- A source said Brazilian officials wanted the grass density increased to reduce injury risks.
- Dhaka inspection
- The delegation visited Dhaka’s National Stadium and Bashundhara Kings Arena.
Quotes
Source close to the developments
An unnamed source familiar with the Brazilian delegation’s stadium inspection.
“Brazil is done and Panama have agreed in principle to play in India. Talks are ongoing with three countries that featured at the last World Cup for the third friendly during this window. A good result against any of the World Cuppers can boost Indian football’s morale and improve the rankings significantly.”
telegraphindia.com
“density of the grass needs to be increased or else there is a massive chance of injury for Vinicius Junior and his teammates”
telegraphindia.com
Iqbal Hossain
Executive committee member of the Bangladesh Football Federation.
“What they told us is that they could use our stadium as a neutral venue or play against Bangladesh in the future.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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