i- league Kochi dropped as second division venue

Kochi, which had been named as the venue for the second division I-League’s final phase a few weeks ago, will not host the football series.

“The matches are not happening in Kochi, but I can’t comment over what the reasons are,” said Sujesh Rajan, senior manager, I-League, from New Delhi on Tuesday. “We are not holding the matches there because of certain glitches.”

Both Kerala teams in the second division — Kochi’s Josco FC and Eagles FC — have failed to make the final phase in April, and that could be a big reason for the matches being shifted out of the city.

But there are other issues too.

“Some issues related to ground conditions and facilities are available with us,” said KFA general secretary P. Anilkumar. “Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium is suitable, but hosting the event on that pitch is a highly expensive affair.”

Anilkumar added that a few clubs which have qualified for the final phase may also be interested in hosting the event to gain home advantage and impress their sponsors.

Two phases

The final phase will now be held in two phases — the first beginning at Bangalore on March 30, just a couple of days after the first phase’s Group C matches end there on Wednesday. The six qualifiers will play five matches each and then another set of matches in a new venue which will be announced shortly.

“It’s tough; we’ve been playing a series of matches since the Santosh Trophy,” said Mumbai Tigers’ former international N.P. Pradeep.Five teams — Shillong’s Langsning FC, Meghalaya’s Rangdajied United FC (top two teams from Group A in Singrauli, M.P.), Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting and Bhawanipur FC (qualified from Group B in Indore) along Mumbai Tigers — have already qualified for the second division’s final phase, according to AIFF.

The final qualifier will be decided in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/kochi-dropped-as-second-division-venue/article4552915.ece