KOCHI: The stage is all set for a historic clash between Indian Super League’s (ISL) Kerala Blasters FC and A-League side Melbourne City FC as the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in the city will play host to the opening match in the three-match Toyota Yaris La Liga World international preseason football tournament on Tuesday evening.
The tournament billed as the first international preseason football event to be hosted in India will also feature La Liga club Girona FC who finished 10th in last season’s Spanish top division and even upset European champions Real Madrid 2-1. It will also be the first time that a club from a European top division will play in India after English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers faced Pune FC back in 2011.
And Melbourne City gaffer Warren Joyce said on Monday that he and his players are looking forward to taking on Blasters in front of a vociferous home crowd. “We have heard a lot about the Yellow Army, the supporters of the local side and we are really looking forward to giving them a good display of football when we face Blasters,” said the former Manchester United Reserves coach. The Australian club which reached Kochi last week has trained at the Government Sports Complex Ground in Panampilly Nagar here as they prepare for their domestic season.
“The facilities have been world class till now. We have had a good week’s training. The people we have come across have also given us a good welcome and showered their love on us,” said Joyce. Joyce also said that the rain that has lashed the city recently have not had an adverse effect on their preparations. “The training ground held up well and the grass at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium looks perfect. We have had nothing to complain about here,” said the Melbourne head coach.
Meanwhile, Blasters head coach David James said that his team will put on a strong show against the visitors. “Preseason is all about regaining fitness and gelling. But it will be a great opportunity to see where an Indian club stand in terms of quality while we play a team from Australia,” said the former English goalkeeper whose side have been training in Ahmedabad ahead of the tournament. After Tuesday’s game, Melbourne will face Girona FC on July 27 followed by the final game of the tournament where Blasters will face the La Liga side on July 28.
Traffic curbs in the city
The City Police have imposed traffic restrictions in the wake of the Toyota Yaris La Liga World Football 2018 to be held in Jawaharlal Nehru International on Tuesday. Traffic will be regulated on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. There will be traffic curbs on the stretch from Edappally bypass to High Court Junction.
The police have banned parking along the stretch between stadium main gate and the stadium and on the road surrounding the stadium and the stretch behind the stadium to Karanakkodam.
Spectators using light motor vehicles should take the Palarivattom-Thammanam route to reach the rear side of the stadium. Light vehicles coming from Vyttila side should come to the stadium via SA Road-Kadavanthra-Kathrikkadavu route.
Light vehicles can be parked on the ground in front of the stadium, St Albert’s College Ground, Karanakkodam Saint Jude Church Ground, IMA Ground, Helipad Ground and KWA’s ground behind the stadium without causing traffic snarls.
Heavy vehicles can park on service roads on the Edappally-Vyttila stretch of NH, Seaport-Airport Road and International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) Road to avoid the traffic congestion. Spectators are encouraged to utilise Metro or bus to reach the stadium.