Indian midfielders are hoping the Qatari cooling technology will give them a respite from the heat during matches

Rollin Burgess works in India. Twitter @ IndianFootball

New Delhi: Indian midfielder Rollin Borges and Brandon Fernandez is relying on cooling technology in Qatar to get a respite from the heat in the upcoming World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Doha.

Although not counted in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, India still has a chance to win the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in China.

India is preparing to face Asian champions Qatar on June 3, Bangladesh on June 7, and Afghanistan on June 15, and all three matches will be played at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

“The cooling technology in the stadium is amazing. You know it’s very hot in Qatar. But you will be cold in the stadium. That keeps you cool,” said Burgess.

Borges was one of the key figures in midfield that evening in Qatar when India played a powerful 0-0 draw in the first leg of the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

“It was the first time I saw something like this in a stadium. Even in the 85th minute, you’ll still be active when that tune goes off. You feel like you can keep running.”

His fellow midfielder Fernandez, who played as a substitute in that match, echoed Borges’s ideas.
“The last time we were in Qatar, the stadium was very cool. There was no humidity. It was very good. (There were) good conditions to play football.

“In fact, Qatar has excellent infrastructure and world class football facilities. It would be a great feeling to play on Al Sadd.” Said FC Goa player.