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2014 World Cup Qualifier: India Shall Fight Until The Last Minute Against UAE - Armando Colaco
Team India coach Armando Colaco admitted that 3-0 is a big margin to overturn but remained optimistic of causing an upset in the second leg...
27-Jul-2011 7:53:00 PM
By Amoy Ghoshal
AIFF
India faces the difficult challenge of overturning a 3-0 deficit in the second leg of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against UAE.
Coach Armando Colaco admitted at the pre-match press conference that his side are really up against it but remained optimistic about India’s chances.
Colaco said, “I must admit 3-0 is a big mountain to climb but we have promised each other to give absolutely everything until the very last whistle.
“The important thing will be to express ourselves and enjoy the match. That would bring out the best from my players and hopefully get the result we need.”
The former midfielder also confirmed the two changes in the starting lineup and the two additions in the match squad because of the suspensions of Subrata Paul and Debabrata Roy.
“(Harmanjot Singh) Khabra and Sandip (Nandy) have been included in the squad. Nabi did well at left back in the second leg after Debabrata’s red card and so he will start in that position in the second leg. Clifford (Miranda) will get a start on the left wing.”
Coach Colaco then talked about the improvement the Indian national team has made recently and praised the progress of the several Under-23 members in the senior squad.
“We have certainly improved as a team and are capable of competing against the very best Gulf nations. The players have adapted well to the new style and the performances against Maldives and Qatar prove that they are implementing my plan quite well.
“Several Under-23 players have made very quick progress and that has really contributed to overall improvement of the national team.”
Like star striker Sunil Chhetri, Colaco acknowledged that Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium has been lucky for India in the recent past but wasn’t sure if rain could give the hosts an advantage.
“The boys love the Ambedkar. It has been really lucky for the national team and we trained also there during the camp so hopefully it will be a packed house, which certainly will inspire us.
“I have mixed feelings about rain because if it rains we will not be able to play our short passing game. But of course, we have a plan B as the Under-23 boys are well accustomed to play direct style football," he said.
The Dempo coach singled out some of the key players from the UAE side but remained confident of a good performance from his players.
“UAE are a strong side and will certainly make it very difficult for us. They have a number of talented players especially numbers 5 (Amer Abdulrahman), 15 (Ismael Al Hammadi), 17 (Yousef Jaber) and 7 (Al Wehaibi).
“We will aim to play a compact game and must keep things tight at the back also as an away goal for them will make it even more difficult. The boys are confident of giving a good performance and fighting back in this tie," said Colaco.
Coach Armando Colaco admitted at the pre-match press conference that his side are really up against it but remained optimistic about India’s chances.
Colaco said, “I must admit 3-0 is a big mountain to climb but we have promised each other to give absolutely everything until the very last whistle.
“The important thing will be to express ourselves and enjoy the match. That would bring out the best from my players and hopefully get the result we need.”
The former midfielder also confirmed the two changes in the starting lineup and the two additions in the match squad because of the suspensions of Subrata Paul and Debabrata Roy.
“(Harmanjot Singh) Khabra and Sandip (Nandy) have been included in the squad. Nabi did well at left back in the second leg after Debabrata’s red card and so he will start in that position in the second leg. Clifford (Miranda) will get a start on the left wing.”
Coach Colaco then talked about the improvement the Indian national team has made recently and praised the progress of the several Under-23 members in the senior squad.
“We have certainly improved as a team and are capable of competing against the very best Gulf nations. The players have adapted well to the new style and the performances against Maldives and Qatar prove that they are implementing my plan quite well.
“Several Under-23 players have made very quick progress and that has really contributed to overall improvement of the national team.”
Like star striker Sunil Chhetri, Colaco acknowledged that Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium has been lucky for India in the recent past but wasn’t sure if rain could give the hosts an advantage.
“The boys love the Ambedkar. It has been really lucky for the national team and we trained also there during the camp so hopefully it will be a packed house, which certainly will inspire us.
“I have mixed feelings about rain because if it rains we will not be able to play our short passing game. But of course, we have a plan B as the Under-23 boys are well accustomed to play direct style football," he said.
The Dempo coach singled out some of the key players from the UAE side but remained confident of a good performance from his players.
“UAE are a strong side and will certainly make it very difficult for us. They have a number of talented players especially numbers 5 (Amer Abdulrahman), 15 (Ismael Al Hammadi), 17 (Yousef Jaber) and 7 (Al Wehaibi).
“We will aim to play a compact game and must keep things tight at the back also as an away goal for them will make it even more difficult. The boys are confident of giving a good performance and fighting back in this tie," said Colaco.
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