AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Liston Colaco Eager to Play in Kolkata – As India embarks on an exciting journey in the AFC Asian Cup, eyes will be on India’s new football superstar Liston Colaco who will be excited to play in front of his home crowd. India will be playing 3 qualifying group stage matches against Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. Colaco, who is currently one of the key members of the squad will be eager to shine for the Men in Blue. Follow AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Live & Indian Football Live Updates with InsideSport.IN
The Goan youngster shot into the football scene after his incredible performance in the Indian Super League. Impressed with his debut season at Hyderabad FC, Kolkata Giants ATK Mohun Bagan roped him up last season, and the young forward didn’t disappoint with his performances.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India’s Superstar Forward Liston Colaco DESPERATE to perform in front of Home Crowd in Kolkata – Check Out
An opportunity to don the blue at what is often hailed as the ‘Mecca of Indian football’, the Salt Lake Stadium has Indian national team forward Liston Colaco raring to go as the Blue Tigers face Cambodia in their first Group D match of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers – third round on Wednesday.
The Goa-born forward although is not a stranger to the Salt Lake Stadium, having featured for his club side ATK Mohun Bagan in the recently-concluded AFC Cup group stage matches. However, Liston who made his senior national team debut just over a year ago is yet to play at home, let alone Kolkata representing the national side.
Liston Colaco made his debut for India last year in 2021. Overall he has played 9 games for the Men in Blue but is yet to find the back of the net in National colors. It can be expected that Colaco stitches up a formidable partnership with skipper Sunil Chhetri upfront as the duo would look to wreak havoc on the opposition.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India’s Superstar Forward Liston Colaco DESPERATE to perform in front of Home Crowd in Kolkata – Check Out
“It will be a very proud moment for me to realise what every young boy dreams of playing for his country. I had a taste of the atmosphere before while playing for ATK Mohun Bagan. The fans here in Kolkata are football crazy. I hope they come to the matches to cheer for the national team in the same manner as well,” said Colaco.
Liston who signed for city giants ATK Mohun Bagan last season scored 4 goals in the AFC Cup in Kolkata along with 8 goals last ISL season for the Green and Maroons.
However, he is desperate to tick off his tally for the national team. The 23-year-old hopes the moment would arrive over the next week, carrying over his rich vein of form.
Beating the Monday morning blues 😁#BackTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/pljpOhE6WG
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 6, 2022
“I have been waiting for a long time (for the first India goal). I hope in these three matches, I can get one if not 3-4 goals,” quipped Colaco. The cause of getting India over the finishing line in terms of qualifying for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup is not lost on Colaco as well.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India’s Superstar Forward Liston Colaco DESPERATE to perform in front of Home Crowd in Kolkata – Check Out
“Firstly, it will be a huge achievement for the national team, and for a player, it is the platform to step up and perform at the highest level,” he said.
Colaco has been earmarked as one of the future stars of the national team. Colaco believes the current squad, filled with youngsters such as himself can form the core of the national team over the next decade in trying to make India a top football team in the region.
“If we keep on improving ourselves, as we do always in our training. I think this young group is talented and hard-working. So if we maintain this, we can surely achieve greater things for the national team in time to come,” said Colaco.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India’s Superstar Forward Liston Colaco DESPERATE to perform in front of Home Crowd in Kolkata – Check Out
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