AFC: Punekars Disappointed as Neymar’s Al Hilal Match Moved to Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, 28th September 2023 – Football fans in Pune have been left disheartened by the sudden relocation of the much-anticipated match between Neymar’s Al Hilal and Mumbai City FC to the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Originally slated to take place at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, the change in venue has elicited mixed reactions from supporters.
The decision to move the match was prompted by concerns over inadequate facilities at Mumbai City FC’s home stadium in Pune. This comes as a disappointment to Pune residents who were keen to see football stars like Neymar Jr., Aleksandar Mitrović, Malcom, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Rúben Neves, Yassine Bounou, and Kalidou Koulibaly play in their city.
However, the silver lining to this relocation is the increased seating capacity at the DY Patil Sports Stadium, which can hold up to 55,000 spectators, as opposed to the 11,900-seat capacity at the Balewadi Stadium. This will allow more fans to attend the match and see their favorite players in action.
For residents of Pune, the DY Patil Stadium is relatively accessible, with an approximate travel time of three hours. Despite some minor inconveniences, the excitement among Indian football fans remains undiminished as they look forward to welcoming these football superstars.
The anticipation for this high-profile match is still running high, despite the change in venue. Both football enthusiasts and residents of Pune are eagerly counting down the days until the match, which is scheduled to kick off on November 6th.
