In India, where cricket, hockey and kabaddi have always been the most popular sports, football is certainly on the upswing. Two years ago, the professional Indian Super League was formed, attracting a number of foreign players, and leaving some traditional clubs in the now second-tier I-League. India was also chosen to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017. Without exaggeration, the Sait Nagjee trophy is being considered akin to a mini-World Cup by the football-interested locals.

All games are being played at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, which holds a capacity of 45,000. The opening game attracted 35,000, while crowds at other group matches have hovered around 20,000. General admission is Rs.150 (€2), except for the VIP seats (plastic chairs at pitch level, including soft drinks and tea) that go for Rs.500 (€6.60).

No programmes or merchandise were produced. Snacks, bottled water and tea are readily available from mobile vendors for pennies. By and large, I was pleasantly surprised about the logistics and organisation (if you've been to India for an event before you may expect otherwise). Even the pitch was in good condition, considering the climate conditions. It's dry season, yet hot and humid, with temperatures around 36°C at daytime, dropping to 25°C at night.

Group A had CA Paranaense, Watford FC, Volyn Lutsk and Rapid Bucuresti, while Group B featured Argentina's U23, Dnipro Dniproterovsk, Shamrock Rovers and TSV Munich 1860.

Rapid and Shamrock sent their first teams, while everyone else fielded their reserves/youth squads.

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November 19th, 2019

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