The much-hyped Millennium Cup Super Soccer Tournament kicks off at the renovated Salt LakeStadium on Wednesday with a Group-4 match between title aspirants Chile and Bahrain. The high-profile tournament, billed as the largest soccer extravaganza in the country, received a setback with the last minute pull out of Iraq reducing the event to a 15-team affair.
With just a day left for the meet to kick off, it is extremely unlikely that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will be able to find a replacement for Iraq at such a short notice. Panama, who were the likely replacement for Iraq, have also expressed their inability to participate in the tournament. Cameroon, who have been clubbed in Group-3, are also on the list of doubtfuls due to certain visa problems and non-availbility of some of their key players.
AIFF President Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi has already taken the initiative to settle their visa problems so that the team can reach the venue in time. Despite most of the teams fielding their second string players or juniors, the tournament promises to provide a treat for soccer buffs in the country who will get an opportunity to witness teams like Chile, Uruguay, Romania and Yugoslavia in action.
Bureau Report