Iraq drop out of Millennium Cup

Arvind Desai

The Sahara Millennium Super Soccer Cup has run into trouble, with Iraq pulling-out of the much-hyped tournament just two days before Wednesday's kick-off at Calcutta.

Iraq, which was to play Yugoslavia in a Group One match at Kochi on the opening day, withdrew citing non-availability of some of their key players.

The All India Football Federation is trying hard for a replacement. Its secretary Alberto Colaco informed that efforts are on to get either Estonia or Panama to fill the void created by the Iraqis. In case both decline the offer, he said, Group One will have just three teams.

"Initially 16 teams had confirmed participation but unfortunately Iraq pulled out of the competition at the last minute despite their ambassador being present during the draw in Delhi," he said, adding efforts are still on nevertheless to make them change their decision.

Colaco said Panama could be the likely replacement as they "have shown interest". "They are not sure of the arrangements," he added.

The 16-day tournament, which will be played over three venues -- Calcutta, Goa and Kochi, will have 32 matches, with football-crazy Calcutta hosting 13 of them, including the final, the semi-finals and two quarter-finals. Kochi will host 12 matches while Goa, seven.

On Wednesday, Chile will take on Bahrain in the inaugural match at the YBK stadium in Kolkata, while in another Group IV match, Uzbekistan play Japan.

At Kochi's Nehru stadium, Yugoslavia play Iraq at Nehru Stadium.

The participating teams are: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cameroon, Chile, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Japan, Romania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia.

Doordarshan has made arrangements for the live coverage of all the matches.