India meets Vancouver Whitecaps tomorrow in Nations Cup opener

Vancouver, July 18 (UNI) Newly appointed coach Bob Houghton kicks off his stint with the national football team when India takes on local favourites Vancouver Whitecaps in the inaugural Nations Cup opener at the Swangard Stadium tomorrow.

China's under-20 team plays Cardiff City FC of Wales on Friday in their first outing in the four-team tourney.

Winners battle in Saturday night's final while losers play for third place late Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Bob Houghton, a globetrotting British expatriate who led Toronto Blizzard from 1982 to 1984, would see how his boys fare in their maiden tournament under the new coach.

Houghton is no alien to the land and the Blizzard were runners-up in 1983's Soccer Bowl championship at B C Place Stadium.

India is also hoping to benefit from Houghton's first hand knowledge of Chinese football should India meet China's under-20s on Saturday. After all, Houghton had coached China's national team to its first World Cup berth in 2002.

The Chinese colts, guided by 1988 Asian Footballer of the Year Jia Xiuquan, are expected to be a quality bunch and they are eyeing an entry in next summer's FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada.

Another important job for Houghton would be to sound out players of Indian origin, like Michael Chopra of Cardiff City and try to convince them to play for the country of their origin.

Before leaving India, Houghton had also predicted a tough fight from the Chinese youngsters, who, he felt, would form core of their under-23 team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Cardiff City is expected to arrive with 300 vociferous fans to add to the gloss.

Whitecaps captain Jeff Clarke, meanwhile, exuded confidence that his colleagues would make the most of the tournament after a break from the USL First Division schedule.

''It's going to be great for those who are tired of the break, while some others are coming off injury. And this will be an opportunity for the young guys also to make their mark,'' Clarke remarked.

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