KOLKATA: A year ago, India completed the first part of their Mission Asian Cup, managing a 1-1 draw with Afghanistan in Doha, thus ending their World Cup qualifying campaign with a third-place finish in the group. But, more importantly, they moved directly into the third round of qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup.
With Afghanistan now standing again in India’s potential march to the game’s biggest continental stage at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday, coach Igor Stimac reflected on that match, believing his team is better prepared to cross the hurdle this time.
“I wouldn’t say I was very upset or disappointed with the result. Because we needed one point (to qualify) and we fulfilled our aim. But I was sad that we conceded a late goal. Now we are in better shape than we were one year ago. I can say that I am confident about the situation we are in,” the India coach said on Friday.
A significant part of this confidence has come from India’s 2-0 win over Cambodia in their Group D opener three days ago. As Stimac said, “a winning start helps build confidence in the dressing room.”
A win against Afghanistan will take the hosts closer to fulfilling their mission. Things have changed for both teams since that match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha last June, but Stimac now wants his players to carry out the job in a more clinical way.
“Of course, the three points against Cambodia will mean nothing if we don’t win against Afghanistan. We are at the point zero looking at the job we need to do,” Stimac said.
India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu echoed the sentiments.
“Afghanistan have good quality players and experienced players who have played in Europe. They are a team which likes to fight and we like to fight as well. And like the coach said, it only makes sense to win the next game and move on as that’s what we are here for,” Gurpreet remarked.
If this is the immediate aim, Stimac has his eyes also on building a future for the team.
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Hong Kong vs Cambodia (5 pm)
India vs Afghanistan (8:30 pm)
