The Indian national football team. (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirms an International Friendly Match for the Indian Senior National Team against Puerto Rico on September 3, 2016. The match will be played at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
“We are pleased to announce an International Friendly against Puerto Rico on September 3, 2016, in Mumbai,” All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das told AIFF Media.
“As per the August FIFA Rankings, Puerto Rico are ranked 114. Playing against such an opposition will help us prepare well for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers,” he added.
National Coach Stephen Constantine stressed that the best way to test growth is to “playing higher ranked opposition.”
“During my previous tenure in India, we regularly played higher ranked teams. It’s the best way to test yourself. Puerto Rico are presently ranked 114 and we look forward to playing them,” he stated.
“The pre-season training camp had its own benefits and they were visible even in the high altitude in our unofficial friendly match against Bhutan in Thimphu. But this will be an entirely different ball game,” he maintained.
(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)