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What's the story?
The governing body of World Football, The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), have announced the upcoming quadrangular event, the Intercontinental Cup fixtures on their official website. The fixtures have been listed under the friendlies segment.
In case you didn't know...
Intercontinental Cup was first held in a tri-series format in 2017 (then known as Hero Tri-Nation Series). India were crowned the Champions of the tournament after they finished top of the table with a win over Mauritius and a draw with St. Kitts and Nevis.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will host the this year's Intercontinental Cup in a 4-team event followed by a final from June 1 to June 10 in the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai. Kenya, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei are the three teams who will contest for the title with India.
The Heart of the matter
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to announce the fixtures of the upcoming Intercontinental Cup, but the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has already listed the fixtures of the tournament in the friendlies segment.
The tournament as earlier announced will kick off on June 1 and will end with the top two teams fighting it out for the title in the final.
India will begin their title defence on the opening day on June 1 against Chinese Taipei. Kenya and New Zealand will cross swords on the next day.
Chinese Taipei will face New Zealand on June 5 while India will meet Kenya on June 4.
India will face New Zealand in their last game of the regular stage on June 7 while Kenya will end their regular stage in the final game against Chinese Taipei on June 8.
The op two teams after the regular games will play the final on June 10 to be crowned as the Champions.
The timings and ticket details are yet to be declared.
The Fixtures are as follows (All matches will kick off at 8pm):
1 June 2018: India v Chinese Taipei
2 June 2018: Kenya v New Zealand
4 June 2018: India v Kenya
5 June 2018: Chinese Taipei v New Zealand
7 June 2018: India v New Zealand
8 June 2018: Chinese Taipei v Kenya
What's next?
Kenya will play Swaziland and Equatorial Ghana on May 25 and 28 respectively as part of the preparation for the Intercontinental Cup. India is undergoing the national team camp in Mumbai with a 30-man provisional squad. Constantine's final squad will be announced in a couple of weeks.
Author's Take
FIFA's ratification of the Intercontinental Cup Games means that the games will carry FIFA Friendly Ranking points making it crucial for all the four teams. This will evoke all the three visiting teams to send their best teams as the FIFA Ranking points will be at stake.
