AFC Challenge Cup final to be played in New Delhi on Aug 13

Hyderabad, Aug 10 (UNI) After incessant rains left the grounds at Gachibowli and Lal Bahadur Stadiums here unplayable, the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup (AFC) final between India and Tajikistan will be played in New Delhi on August 13.

''The final match between host India and defending champion Tajakistan, while Myanmar and DPR Korea to play for the third-place will be staged at the Ambedkar Stadium,'' the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a statement today.

However, the decision came after the AFC delegation, accompanied by All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Alberto Colaco, visited the national capital this morning to inspect the ground conditions at the Ambedkar Stadium.

The last two matches of the eight-nation tournament was decided to be shifted to another city due to unplayable ground conditions caused by incessant rains in Hyderabad.

''After inspecting the stadium in the Indian capital today, the AFC decided to shift both the matches to Ambedkar Stadium. Now, the final match between India and Tajikistan will be played at 1900 hours, preceded by the third-place playoff between DPR Korea and Myanmar at 1600 hours,'' the statement added.

''It was necessary to shift the venue after incessant rains in Hyderabad turned the ground unplayable,'' it said.

Hyderabad was lashed by incessant rains for the past eight days rendered the earlier venues unsuitable for the two games of Asia's second-tier tournament.

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