Can Bengaluru give India a full house for the World Cup Qualifier vs Oman?

The Bengaluru crowd supporting its local team

Bengaluru will host the opening two home matches in India’s World Cup campaign at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Oman will be the first visitors to Karnataka’s capital on the 11th of June while the top-ranked team in the group – Iran – will face the Blue Tigers on 8th September.

India, ranked 141 in the world, have been placed in Group D of the Asian World Cup qualifiers alongside Iran (41), Oman (101), Turkmenistan (173) and Guam (174). They will face each team twice – home and away, with Bengaluru hosting the first two matches and Delhi will play the host for the final two home matches.

After being handed out a tough draw in the Group stage in Round 2, starting the group on a positive note is of extreme importance for India. And playing the top 2 ranked teams in the Group in Bengaluru in their first two home matches, the home crowd can play a major role in fulfilling India’s dream of a maiden World Cup appearance.

Would we see the fervent Bengaluru FC support transfer to the Indian national team?

The city of Bengaluru, called Bangalore before, loves its football, which was displayed first-hand in the last 2 years with their vociferous support for I-League side Bengaluru FC. With the support of the Blue army behind them, the team shocked the football world by winning the I-League in its debut season. They finished second in the recently-concluded season, narrowly losing the league on the final day.

The Bengaluru crowd supported their team throughout the two campaigns and carried them through obstacles which would have seemed impossible without the support of the fans. Star striker Sunil Chhetri has come out and confessed that their astonishing achievements in the last two seasons would not have been possible without the fanatic support. Bengaluru FC CEO, Parth Jindal, has on numerous occasions elaborated on the unique relationship between the people of the city and the club.

If the football crazy fans of the city can show the same support for India and create a special atmosphere, it is sure to intimidate their opponents, especially Oman, who are used to playing in front of small crowds. Although Iran would be another kettle of fish, there isn’t a sport which suits the saying, ‘ It isn’t over till the fat lady sings’, more than football. There have been plenty of occasions where top teams have been handed a shameful defeat by a lower-ranked opponent.

Turkmenistan and Guam are ranked lower than India in the World rankings and the Blue Tigers are expected to win their matches against these two. That gives more weight to the matches against Oman and Iran, especially at home. With the top team and 4 out of the best 8 second-placed finishers guaranteed qualification to the next stage, two wins or even a win and a draw in Bengaluru would give the team a real chance of qualifying for Round 2.

Although the fans would not have a big say in the away matches, most should be made of the home matches, starting with Bengaluru before the caravan moves to Delhi for the final two home matches.

In a brilliant gesture, the AIFF has given away 5,000 tickets to the Indian Army for free. With a capacity of 24,000, a full Kanteerava Stadium can be a fortress for the Indian National team and help the team to qualify for the World Cup.

National team manager, Stephen Constantine, in his pre-match press conference, said,” We are representing India. We are trying to build a new team. Bangalore is renowned for its love of football and I hope that the blue army turns out tomorrow and backs the blue. We need the support. The players need to feel the support. You support somebody through thick and thin, not when we are qualifying for stuff, everyone suddenly becomes an Indian supporter. NOW, we need you now.”

Bengaluru FC and Indian national team strikers, Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh urged the fans to continue to give their best. Here are their messages: