Bhutia to lead India in Asian Cup

Star striker Bhaichung Bhutia will lead India in the qualifying Group A league matches of the AFC Asian Cup beginning later this month.

Disclosing this, AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi on Thursday said that he held discussions during the day with team manager PK Banerjee about the Indian team's preparations for the lung opener against Japan at Yokohama on February 22.

"We also factored in the chill that will greet our side in Yokohama. I am sure that our kit sponsors will take note of the nature of the weather before deciding on the outfits of the Indian team," he said.

Yemen and Saudi Arabia are the other two sides in the group.

The qualifying round will continue till the end of the year.

Dasmunshi said the second division of the National Football League will start from February 22.

Turning to the domestic venues, he said flodlights would be installed at the Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi and the Kantirava Stadium, Bangalore.

"We will arrange for the finances. But we are trying to get control of these grounds first," he said.