|
|
Nehru Cup: Syria Know How To Win Big Games - Houghton
India coach Bob Houghton talked about the role of the Ambedkar Stadium crowd in the final and how it could turn the game in his team’s favour like it did two years back...
31-Aug-2009 7:56:07 AM
In the
2007 Nehru Cup, India went down 2-3 at the hands of Syria but then went on to
beat them 1-0 in the final thanks a to first half goal from N.P. Pradeep.
Houghton recalled that the atmosphere at the Ambedkar Stadium on 29th August 2007 was electrifying and a similar environment is what his team needs to beat the 95th best team in the world.
“The Ambedkar Stadium crowd motivates us a lot. I don’t think that there is any other stadium in India which will give us better support. “This ground may not be the biggest in the world but the stands are close to the playing pitch so it will help us a lot if the stadium gets packed.
“I don’t know whether the atmosphere can rattle a quality team like Syria but it can’t certainly lift our performance so hopefully that will be the case in the final,” said the Englishman.
Subrata Paul’s performance between the sticks has been praised by one and all and Houghton is no different.
“Subrata Paul has been outstanding in this competition. He has made some important saves in almost every game.
“We have to play as team to beat Syria and it won’t be achieved if only a few players play well. Everyone has to be at their best and if that happens we will have a great chance of winning.”
He was once again full of praise for the Syrian team and admitted this edition’s Nehru Cup has proved to be tougher than the last edition.
“As I said earlier, Syria are a very good side. They know how to win big games so we have to maintain high standards for ninety minutes if we want to beat them.
“This year’s Nehru Cup has been much more competitive which is good for us because we have been tested in all our games,” he concluded.
Amoy Ghoshal.
Houghton recalled that the atmosphere at the Ambedkar Stadium on 29th August 2007 was electrifying and a similar environment is what his team needs to beat the 95th best team in the world.
“The Ambedkar Stadium crowd motivates us a lot. I don’t think that there is any other stadium in India which will give us better support. “This ground may not be the biggest in the world but the stands are close to the playing pitch so it will help us a lot if the stadium gets packed.
“I don’t know whether the atmosphere can rattle a quality team like Syria but it can’t certainly lift our performance so hopefully that will be the case in the final,” said the Englishman.
Subrata Paul’s performance between the sticks has been praised by one and all and Houghton is no different.
“Subrata Paul has been outstanding in this competition. He has made some important saves in almost every game.
“We have to play as team to beat Syria and it won’t be achieved if only a few players play well. Everyone has to be at their best and if that happens we will have a great chance of winning.”
He was once again full of praise for the Syrian team and admitted this edition’s Nehru Cup has proved to be tougher than the last edition.
“As I said earlier, Syria are a very good side. They know how to win big games so we have to maintain high standards for ninety minutes if we want to beat them.
“This year’s Nehru Cup has been much more competitive which is good for us because we have been tested in all our games,” he concluded.
Amoy Ghoshal.
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Iniesta still making the difference for Spain
The ethereal midfielder remains Vicente del Bosque's most consistent performer as La Roja set out to retain their European crown in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has the fewest combined caps among them?
Which is the least experienced team in Euro 2012? Time to test your knowledge, mate
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour