AIFF concerned of security in Lebanon, but ready to go 'as of now'

New Delhi, Aug 9 (UNI) The All India Football Federation today said the national team is ''as of now'' ready to play their World Cup qualifier away match in Lebanon though it was concerned about security of players there.

According to AFC draw on Monday, India play Lebanon in their away match of the first round of 2010 World Cup qualifiers on October 8 and host the West Asian country on October 28.

Lebanese capital of Beirut was initially to host the 17th Asian Athletics Championship but due to security reasons, the venue was later shifted to Jordanian capital of Amman.

Mumbai's Mahindra United, who are scheduled to play their away match against Lebanese side Al Nijmeh on September 25 in the quaterfinal stage of the AFC Cup, the second tier Asian club championship, had written to the AFC to schedule the match at a neutral venue.

''As of now, we are ready to play in Lebanon. AFC said countries in conflict zone -- Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine -- will play in neutral venues. They have not said anything about Lebanon. So we are not doing anything now,'' AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco said on the sidelines of ONGC Nehru Cup trophy unveiling ceremony.

''We know Mahindra United had written to AFC to schedule their away match in neutral venue. We will see if there any security problem arises for the World Cup qualifier, only then we will think of neutral venues,'' he said.

UNI