Kolkata: Venezuela were robbed of a crucial practice session on Wednesday ahead of their FIFA International friendly against Argentina here on Friday after their playing kits landed in Madrid instead of arriving here on Wednesday morning.
The organisers of the match, Celebrity Management Group, arranged some local gears for the La Vinotinto but the Indian size jerseys did not fit the players.
CMG executive director Bhaswar Goswami said that the airline had wrongfully kept the players baggage in a Madrid-bound flight.
"It was to come via Dubai but instead landed in Madrid.
We immediately got in touch with the airline officials and they have promised us to get it delivered by tomorrow. We will ensure that Venezuela get a prematch practice on the eve of the match," Goswami said.
The Lionel Messi-led Argentines, on the other hand, practiced for about an hour at Yuva Bharati Krirangan here this evening.
Meanwhile, the organisers have said that they were expecting about 80,000 spectators in the 1,20,000 capacity stadium for the Friday's blockbuster encounter.
"It's a decent turnout but we are not overjoyed with the response. We don't think the price was a factor," Goswami said.
West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra said 5000 VCDs of the match will be distributed among school children across various towns and villages of the state.
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