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KOLKATA, Oct 3 — India will take on five-time world champions Brazil in a high-profile international friendly at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium, on Saturday.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm local time, will be the first senior men’s international meeting between India and Brazil. Brazil are ranked fifth in the FIFA rankings, while India are 138th.
Brazil have arrived in Kolkata under head coach Carlo Ancelotti with a star-studded squad featuring Vinicius Junior, Endrick, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Barcelona forward Raphinha, however, withdrew from the squad after suffering a thigh injury.
Ancelotti said the match would provide an opportunity to give players valuable international experience while also allowing Brazil to play entertaining football for their large fan base in India.
Brazil captain Marquinhos said the match was also a way of thanking Indian supporters for their longstanding support of the Brazilian national team.
India enter the game after a 1-1 draw with Panama last week, with Ryan Williams scoring for the Blue Tigers.
They will face another major test against two-time world champions Uruguay in Kolkata on October 6.
The match has generated major excitement in Kolkata, where Brazil enjoys a large following.
Authorities have deployed around 2,000 police personnel and 400 civic volunteers at the stadium, with multiple security checks and digital ticket verification planned for spectators.
