Foreign teams to participate in Expo 2014 World Unity Cup

Panaji: A host of foreign teams will take part in the International Football Championship for Expo 2014 Unity World Cup to be held here from December 5.

Organised by John Paul II Foundation for Sports, teams sucha as Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Sri Lanka will participate in the tournament, which was earlier planned as an eight team competition, Convener, Organising Committee of the tournament Fr Alfred Vaz said.

The foreign teams will arrive here on December 4.

Among the foreign teams, Brazil has four players who have played for their national team, Nigeria, Ghanna, Egypt and Sri Lanka have given their confirmation, Vaz said, adding, talks are on with Germany, Italy, Portugal and Australia and the outcome will be known by the end of this week.

With Durand Cup and Federation Cup scheduled to held during the same period with the tournament, it has caused unavailability of grounds due to which the group stages matches (group A and B) will be held in Hyderabad and Bangalore, he added.

The Group-A matches will be played at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli in Hyderabad, while Group B matches will be played at Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore.

The first semi-finals will be played on December 11 and the second semi-finals will be played on December 12 at Margao, Goa.

The final will be held on December 14 at Jawaharlal Stadium, Fatorda, Margao Goa.