Kochi is gearing up for the AFC qualifier between India and Hong Kong

Kochi is gearing up for its date with international football after a decade as India take on Hong Kong in an Asia Cup qualifier at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on March 31.

The visitors arrived in Kochi on Friday. The Indian team has already started training at the Kerala Blasters training facility in Thrippunithura.

The last time the Indian team played at Kochi was in 2016, a World Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan. Lihat juga cwhd. Kerala Football Association president Navas Meeran said the association did not want to miss the opportunity to bring international football back to Kerala.

“That is why we have taken the responsibility of organizing this competition,” said Navas Sports stars. «Preparations are in full swing. And we certainly hope to get a crowd for the match, especially with three players from Kerala in the Indian squad.»

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However, these three Kerala players – Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan and Bijoy Varghese – could not participate in a press conference as scheduled on Thursday. They were supposed to accompany coach Khalid Jamil to the press meet, but that did not happen as the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) did not give permission to use the stadium as the KFA had not paid the rent and deposit.

Navas said the problem was resolved. “It was just a technical problem, although there was also an error on our part,” he said. «But incidents like this should not happen. Now we are all looking forward to making the match a success.»

Published on March 27, 2026