Kolkata, Aug 31 (IANS): For coach Alejandro Sabella and his Argentine national football team, the trip to India, especially the soccer-mad city of Kolkata, is a memorable experience and a learning process.

"For us, it is a good experience to come to India. For me, as well as the players, I think it's the first time. To know different people, different culture, I think it's a very good thing for the people and for us. You can improve as a professional and as person knowing different people and culture," said Sabella Wednesday at the team hotel.

About the city, he said: "I arrived here on Monday morning after a very long trip. I was very tired. I had a visit to some places in the city and I want to say thanks to everybody."

When asked to comment, Sabella did not say anything on the spicy Indian food. The coach and his team though would be served their preferred Argentine cuisine instead of the spicy Indian food. The team's chef Diego Iacovone is already in the city. A look at the food table spread with varied Argentine cuisine will surely make the visiting team feel at home.

The Argentine team, along with superstar Lionel Messi, are in the eastern metropolis to play against Venezuela in the first-ever FIFA international friendly hosted in India. The match will be played Sep 2 at the floodlit Salt Lake Stadium.