Unity through sport

FIFA International Match Window: The Indian men’s national football team will travel to New Zealand for two friendly matches against the hosts on November 12 and 15, during the FIFA International Match Window, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Saturday.

The matches were announced as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand and will form part of a series of sporting events to celebrate ‘100 Years of Unity Through Sport’ between the two nations.

India and New Zealand have faced each other on two previous occasions. Their first meeting ended in a goalless draw in the 1981 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia, while New Zealand registered a 2-1 victory in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.