Panaji: Two foreign clubs headed to India for the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy in Goa face a nervous wait over their visas.
Former A-League champions Brisbane Roar FC and Clube Deportive Defensa y Justicia, both top-tier teams in Australia and Argentina, will take part in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy. The foreign teams though are yet to receive their visas.
“We expect visas for the Argentinean team to be issued within the next 24 hours,” a senior official from the Goa Football Association (GFA) told TOI on Monday.“There was a delay since some players had to renew their passports, but we’ve been assured help by the Embassy of India in Buenos Aires. The Embassy will facilitate the team members in granting visas to them.”
The visas have to be issued in the next 24 hours so as to allow the top-tier Argentinean team to fly to India and then play their opening league clash. They are drawn to face Odisha FC on Sunday.
According to sources, 17 visas have been issued to the 35-member Brisbane Roar contingent so far. “The team has to arrive in Goa latest by Thursday so that they can play the opener on Saturday,” said another official.
Brisbane Roar, though, have confirmed that they are headed to India on Wednesday to compete in the tournament which is being organised with plenty of support from the state govt.
The Australians will field their senior team as part of their pre-season training.
“We are delighted to be invited to compete in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy and this tournament is a great opportunity for our players and staff to get away together and break up a long pre-season,” said Brisbane Roar COO Zac Anderson. “The players and staff have been working extremely hard to build the foundations for the season and this tournament provides important competitive match minutes for the group to continue evolving ahead of the upcoming A-League season.
“Our focus has been to build a high performing environment with a group that is close knit working together to help each other achieve our goals for the season.”
The tournament will be played at Fatorda from August 24 to Sept 3.
Brisbane Roar have been placed in Group A and will face FC Goa, Dempo SC and a Goa Pro League qualifier, while Clube Deportive Defensa y Justicia have been grouped with Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC and Churchill Brothers. The top two sides in each group will progress to the semifinals with the final scheduled for Sept 6.