Football team's preparatory camp deferred by two days

India’s preparatory camp for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification matches has been delayed by two days, with visa issues holding back the squad in New Delhi.

The camp, which was supposed to begin at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on June 4, will now begin on June 6 as the team has to complete their visa formalities for its first away tie.

An All India Football Federation (AIFF) source said visa interviews for the team, which will travel to Gaum — a US territory — to play their second qualifying tie on June 16 has been rescheduled from June 2 and 3 to June 3 and 5.

“The US embassy has rescheduled the visa interview of the Indian team, due to which the camp has been postponed by two days,” said the source.

“But, the players, who have reached New Delhi, will train at the Ambedkar Stadium tomorrow and will leave for Bengaluru on Friday evening.” the source added.

The source also confirmed that the squad will be pruned to a 26-member unit after the first training session on Wednesday.

India take on Oman in their opening qualifier game at the Kanteerava Stadium on June 11, and then travel to Guam for the second tie.