India and Pakistan will be playing two International Friendlies at the Bangalore Football Stadium on August 17 and 20 respectively, All India Football Federation (AIFF) said today.
JSW in association with AIFF will be organising the two matches and it will serve as an able assessment for national coach Wim Koevermans before the India under-23 team departs to Incheon, South Korea to play the Asian Games.
"We, at JSW, are very proud to be associated with two games that Football fans in India are looking forward to. I have no doubt that these two matches will be well received by the fans and that it will be a very keen contest on the pitch," said Parth Jindal, CEO of Bengaluru FC.
Football fans in Bengaluru made news for turning out in large numbers during Bengaluru FC's triumphant I-League season and AR Khaleel, Karnataka State Football Association President said the City deserved the pride of hosting the fixtures.
"It is a matter of pride that Bengaluru has been chosen as a venue for both the Friendlies. The football-loving crowds have been fantastic all of last season and they deserve it. We are sure the games will be a huge success," he said.
Kushal Das, AIFF General Secretary, expressed his gratitude to JSW for "coming forward to organise the matches."
"I'm extremely grateful to JSW for coming forward to organise the friendly matches between India and Pakistan in Bangalore," Das said.
"I think both these matches are of great importance for the preparation to the Asian Games for both India and Pakistan. I'm sure the contest will be extremely competitive and entertaining," he said.
