We are heartbroken at not being able to play in Kolkata: Afghanistan football veteran

The Afghanistan team is heartbroken after the coronavirus-forced lockdown deprived it of an opportunity to soak in Kolkata's football atmosphere during its scheduled return-leg FIFA World Cup Qualifier, says the country's former captain Zohib Islam Amiri.

Amiri made his debut with the Afghanistan senior national team in 2005 and since then he has been a part of many encounters against India, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match last November, which ended 1-1.

"All of us were thrilled when Kolkata was announced as the venue for the match between India and Afghanistan. As soon as the announcement was made, all the boys in the team started asking me what playing in Kolkata is like," Amiri said.

"I kept on telling them that it is one of the best cities to play football -- the ground is excellent and the stadium is going to be full of spectators, which will make it a memorable occasion," Amiri told the All India Football Federation.

"We had everything ready in place and were looking forward to coming to India and play. But, unfortunately, the match got postponed. We were heartbroken."