| An Asian dream beckons |
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| Written by Shailesh Karkera |
| Tuesday, 23 February 2010 19:14 |
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As winners of the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 on home soil, India secured a precious ticket to the continent's showcase event and now has an opportunity to rub shoulders with the top footballing nations in Asia. With the bustling Indian population in the Middle East and the millions watching at home, there will be no shortage of supporters backing the Blues and a good performance would go a long way in defining the future of the sport in the country. While India will be hoping for a revival of sorts when the team takes to the pitch next summer, hosts Qatar will go into the tournament with a focus of not only doing well on the pitch but off it too. Among their ambitious projects for the immediate future is to bring the biggest football tournament, the FIFA World Cup™ to the Middle East, a region brimming with sporting potential and passion. Qatar's is among nine countries that has made an official bid for the 2022 edition of the World Cup™. Apart from roping in prominent icons like Josep Guardiola, Gabriel Batistuta and Roland De Boer as bid ambassadors, the country will be counting on the success of the Asian Cup finals to further stake their claim. The AFC Asian Cup 2011 will be held between 7 to 29 January 2011 and marks the second time that Qatar hosts this prestigious event. The country previously hosted the 1988 edition. Of the sixteen teams that will take part in the finals, twelve of them have already booked their places. Qatar, title-holders Iraq, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Bahrain, China, Japan, Iran, and UAE. The last four qualified teams will be known by early March.
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 22:16 |
With the Indian senior national team well into their preparatory camp for the AFC Asian Cup 2011, the official draw for the tournament will be held in Doha, Qatar on Friday, April 23rd 2010. Football Mumbai on Facebook
