The three-time ISL runners-up Kerala Blasters have announced their 12-day UAE tour as their pre-season preparation.
Kerala Blasters’ 12-day UAE Tour 2022 will run between 17th and 29th August 2022. It means that they will tour UAE during their Group Stage matches of the Durand Cup 2022.
The Tuskers have scheduled to begin their pre-season training in Kochi from 1st August 2022. Ivan Vukomanovic’s players will then train at Al-Nasr Cultural and Sport Club during their UAE tour.
UAE Tour 2022: Kerala Blasters’ complete schedule
In the UAE Tour 2022, the ISL team will play three friendly matches against three different UAE clubs. Al-Nasr SC will be their first opponent in this tour programme, which has been scheduled on 20th August at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai. Al-Nasr SC is one of the oldest clubs in the UAE, which was founded in 1945.
On 25th August, Dibba FC will welcome the ISL club at Dibba Al-Fujairah Stadium, Fujairah. KBFC will play their last game of this tour on 28th August, when Hatta will host them at Hamdan Bin Rashid Stadium, Hatta.
Blasters are excited for this tour which will be their pre-season preparation ahead of the ISL 2022/23, starting in October.
Karolis Skinkys, the Blasters’ Sporting Director, told according to TOI, “The initial plan of the club was a camp for less than two weeks with three friendly matches which will be executed as well in this pre-season. I’m delighted that all our UAE fans can come and be part of us at the stadium. This pre-season match is crucial for the club and all our supporters, and this will assist us to test our squads’ limits as well.”
Durand Cup 2022: KBFC’s Group D schedule
However, during this preparatory tour, Kerala Blasters will play their first three matches in the Group D of the Durand Cup 2022. They will start this campaign by meeting against Sudeva Delhi on 19th August, while the ISL clubs Odisha FC and NorthEast United will face them on 23rd and 27th August respectively.
Army Green will be Blasters’ last Group D opponent in this tournament on 31st August. Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, will host all the Group D matches of the Durand Cup 2022.
The top two teams of each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup 2022.
So, it will be very interesting to see how KBFC handle both their programmes, UAE Tour 2022 and Durand Cup 2022 Group D matches, simultaneously.
