XtraTime Web Desk: The AFC Asian Cup dreams to get a fresh wind, as the fans have started planning something big to celebrate the moment with some serious passion.
While supporting the Blue Tigers from pubs across India is one way of bringing football fans in India under one banner, the Blue Pilgrims have a different long-term objective. India have qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in eight years and will be participating in the tournament in January 2019 in the United Arab Emirates.
The Indian team has been drawn against UAE, Thailand and Bahrain, in a group that does not look too out of the reach for coach Stephen Constantine and his men.
The Blue Pilgrims plan to take a sizeable contingent to the Middle-Eastern country in January to give that bit of extra support to the team.
“We are planning on sending our fans to UAE for the AFC Asian Cup next year,” says Waseem. “As of now, around a 100 people have signed up for that, but we want to get as many fans on-board that flight, as possible. So these screenings are a good way of spreading awareness.”
The effort of the Blue Pilgrims have certainly been a huge boon for the national team, who are determined to progress step-by-step in the footballing ladder. Their next stepping stone will be in at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre, where they face off against China at IST 5.05 pm, on Saturday, October 13.