ANI
11 Apr 2021, 15:25 GMT+10
New Delhi [India], April 11 (ANI): For the first time ever India is set to host AFC Champions League action starting on April 14 and will be represented by ISL 2019-20 League champions FC Goa, who will compete alongside Persepolis, Al-Rayyan and Al-Wahda in Group E of the group stages of the most prestigious club competition in the continent.
Former national team captain Bruno Coutinho termed the hosting of the tournament as the "biggest opportunity and honour" and sent his best wishes to FC Goa ahead of their games.
"It is the biggest opportunity for fans and the Indian football fraternity that the AFC Champions League is being held in Goa. It is an honour for the players and for me as well, as a Goan," All India Football Federation quoted Bruno as saying.
"The tournament coming to India for the first time and an Indian team -- FC Goa -- playing for the first time -- is great. I would like to wish good luck to them. All the best and go for the kill!" he added.
Talking about the level of the teams that will compete in the group, Bruno stressed the importance of being "well-prepared" and mentioned that the players will be "highly motivated to put their best foot forward.""The clubs that are coming here have been playing at this high level from prior. For them, this is not the first time in the competition. They have very good players and it is not easy playing against teams from West Asian countries. In contrast, we are the debutants. So we need to be meticulous," he said.
The action in Group E will kick off on April 14, with Persepolis of Iran taking on Al-Wahda of the UAE in the opening encounter, followed by hosts FC Goa crossing swords against Qatari side Al-Rayyan.
Bruno, who represented India in 44 matches and has also been a recipient of the AIFF Player of the Year Award in 1996, opined: "It is an honour for the players and the team to compete at this level. The experience will help them mature faster. I consider them lucky as they are getting to play at this level. Such moments call for giving 200 per cent on the pitch.""There is nothing to fear. You have to go with a winning mentality, which is most important," he added. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Central Asia Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Central Asia Times.
More InformationKHAN YOUNIS, Gaza - Seven Israeli soldiers were killed in a large explosion in southern Gaza's Khan Younis area on Tuesday night,...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: Iran's top clerics are quietly accelerating succession plans for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was threatened...
BEIJING, China: Extreme weather is once again testing China's resilience, as intensifying monsoon rains trigger floods across major...
LONDON/PARIS: British and French authorities have warned people to stay safe as an early summer heat wave brings unusually high temperatures...
ANKARA, Turkey: Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced it would form a new...
WASHINGTON DC, - U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Iran. He made the claim on...
BEIJING, China: Extreme weather is once again testing China's resilience, as intensifying monsoon rains trigger floods across major...
BANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand's government is facing its biggest crisis in nearly a year, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25 (ANI): Tata IPL 2025 became one of the most successful seasons in the league's history, setting...
New Delhi [India] June 25 (ANI): The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), India's pioneering tennis-ball T10 cricket league, has announced...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25 (ANI): The Indian stock markets opened in the green on Wednesday, with the Nifty and Sensex both...
New York [US], June 24 (ANI): Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has conceded the Democratic primary for New York City mayor to Zohran Mamdani,...