India to play a friendly against Nepal in August

Stephen Constantine would be pleased with a friendly fixture before the big match against Iran

India will play neighbours Nepal in an international friendly on the 31^st of August according to the All Nepal Football Association(ANFA). According to the ANFA, the proposal for the friendly was made by India.

India last played Nepal in Match in a World Cup Qualification match. India emerged as the winner after the two legs with an aggregate score of 2-0, with Sunil Chhetri scoring both the goals. The ANFA stated on their website that the match would act as a warm-up game for the SAFF Championships which are scheduled to be held in India in December.

This friendly would suit India as it would provide some important match practice for the national team, who are still in the World Cup Qualifiers. After back-to-back defeats to Oman and Guam, Stephen Constantine has said that he would like to play more friendlies as he has selected a young team for the Qualifiers.

India will play the best Asian team in the shape of Iran next in the Qualifiers on the 8^th of September. With the national league have reached completion in May and the Indian Super League not ready to resume till the October, this friendly comes as welcome news for the inexperienced Indian side. The team will benefit from the extra friendly as the team can gain experience for the upcoming World Cup Qualification tie and even the SAFF Cup.

Although the venue for the fixture has not been decided yet, this news will be welcomed by all parties.