XtraTime Web Desk: The historic Salt Lake Stadium might again be a full house to support the Indian Football Team as the Mecca of Indian Football is in the race to host the Group E World Cup Qualifier tie against the AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar which will be played on March 26 next year.
The last turnout against Bangladesh at Kolkata left everyone impressed and after the game India Head Coach Igor Stimac said that it will remain in his memory forever.
On Thursday, sources said that the Indian Football Association (IFA), which is the parent body for the sport in West Bengal, has spoken to All India Football Federation (AIFF) about hosting the tie in the City of Joy.
Besides Kolkata, Kerala and Bhubaneswar are also in the race.
“The IFA is expected to send a formal letter to AIFF on Friday. Stimac is also interested to play in front of such amazing crowd. It’s too early to say that Kolkata is the front runner but chances are there,” a well-placed source said.
“I have been part of many big games. But this one was special,” Stimac had said after the game.
India captain and record goalscorer Sunil Chhetri had expressed gratitude to the fans who turned up in large numbers to support the team, saying they could not deliver a performance to match the atmosphere.
“We couldn’t deliver a performance to match the atmosphere at the Salt Lake last night, and the dressing room is very disappointed about it. We couldn’t capitalise on the chances we got, but this is a process on the pitch and in the stands. You turned up, we’ll keep attempting to,” Chhetri had tweeted.
India have two points after three matches in the qualifiers and sit in fourth spot in the five-team group.