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Indian National Team: We Were Skeptical In Our Approach Against Bayern Munich – Gouramangi Moirangthem
The Indian full-back admitted that they weren't sure how to get into the match with the German Bundesliga outfit and revealed the dressing room talks during half-time...
13-Jan-2012 3:41:00 PM
By Anselm Noronha
India international Gouramangi Moirangthem is a pleased man having had the opportunity to feature in what was Bhaichung Bhutia's testimonial game against the mighty Bayern Munich earlier this week.
Thomas Mueller scored a brace, while Mario Gomez and Bastian Schweinsteiger also scored, in the first half, to claim a comfortable 4-0 win over the Men in Blue.
"First of all, it was a very good experience [to play against Bayern Munich] with all the big names and big players, and it was Bhai's (Bhaichung Bhutia) farewell too. So it was kind of a lifetime experience," said Gouramangi.
How Good Are They? | Only The Experience Of Playing Against Them Can Answer That
Further, talking on the match, the Churchill Brothers defender admitted that his side were skeptical of getting into the match against the German side.
"I think how we started was a little skeptical. I think we were not nervous, but we not very sure of how to start the game [against Bayern Munich] because we have never faced the quality of [Arjen] Robben and [Thomas] Mueller."
The 25-year-old went on to state that they were not aware of the type of football the Germans play, this being the first time the current Indian setup faced the Bavarian giants.
"We didn't know how good they are - whether they are really fast or very strong, as we only get to see them on television. We didn't want to be put in a situation where we were totally outgunned by them," he reasoned.
"Definitely it was very hard for us to win the game, but maybe it could have been different if we had given the same fight we gave in the second half from the beginning," he added.
India fought well in the second half and did not allow any more goals after conceding four first half goals.
"When we got into the dressing room, even Bhai was saying, 'Common, we're not playing our natural game. We have not even started playing.' We weren't tired or feeling anything like that, but we were just too conscious," he told Goal.com.
Give It Your All | Best Results Can Only Be Achieved By Challenging Your Opponents
"Even though we were down by four goals in the first half, I thought to myself that I want to give them a challenge and see how good they are or how much I have to stretch myself as an Indian and to find out how much we are lacking behind them," Gouramangi continued.
"Eventually, they were still the better side, but I think we did give them a challenge in the second half and it was a good experience on the whole."
Meanwhile, the I-League enters round 14 on Friday and Gouramangi spoke on Churchill Brothers' upcoming match against Mohun Bagan.
"It's a big match. We have been pretty much consistent. I think we have not tried to do any fancy things and haven't done very badly also. If we win, we have a chance to get back on top, depending on the results of the other matches."
"So we will try to keep to the tempo and be in the top three for as long as we can. It's a long way to go, but we'll just try to keep on winning and hopefully lift the title at the end of the season."
He Deserves It | Sunil Chhetri Receiving The "AIFF Player Of The Year" Award 2011
Gouramangi Moirangthem won the "AIFF Player Of The Year" Award 2010 and went on to congratulate international team-mate Sunil Chhetri for winning the accolade for the year 2011.
"I congratulate him (Sunil Chhetri) because he deserves it. We play in different clubs, so the only time we are actually together is during national camps where quite honestly I see him working out more than me.
"We all are professionals and take care of our fitness, eat the right food and do the right thing, but (Chhetri) is very serious and dedicated."
Asked if Chhetri can fill in Bhaichung Bhutia's boots, Gouramangi said, "I don't know if he likes it, but someone has to start to kind of lead the team in a way - may it be on the pitch or off it - and he has been upfront doing the same for which we all support him."
Thomas Mueller scored a brace, while Mario Gomez and Bastian Schweinsteiger also scored, in the first half, to claim a comfortable 4-0 win over the Men in Blue.
"First of all, it was a very good experience [to play against Bayern Munich] with all the big names and big players, and it was Bhai's (Bhaichung Bhutia) farewell too. So it was kind of a lifetime experience," said Gouramangi.
How Good Are They? | Only The Experience Of Playing Against Them Can Answer That
Further, talking on the match, the Churchill Brothers defender admitted that his side were skeptical of getting into the match against the German side.
 Indian Icon Bhaichung Bhutia Bids His Farewell |
The 25-year-old went on to state that they were not aware of the type of football the Germans play, this being the first time the current Indian setup faced the Bavarian giants.
"We didn't know how good they are - whether they are really fast or very strong, as we only get to see them on television. We didn't want to be put in a situation where we were totally outgunned by them," he reasoned.
"Definitely it was very hard for us to win the game, but maybe it could have been different if we had given the same fight we gave in the second half from the beginning," he added.
India fought well in the second half and did not allow any more goals after conceding four first half goals.
"When we got into the dressing room, even Bhai was saying, 'Common, we're not playing our natural game. We have not even started playing.' We weren't tired or feeling anything like that, but we were just too conscious," he told Goal.com.
Give It Your All | Best Results Can Only Be Achieved By Challenging Your Opponents
"Even though we were down by four goals in the first half, I thought to myself that I want to give them a challenge and see how good they are or how much I have to stretch myself as an Indian and to find out how much we are lacking behind them," Gouramangi continued.
"Eventually, they were still the better side, but I think we did give them a challenge in the second half and it was a good experience on the whole."
Meanwhile, the I-League enters round 14 on Friday and Gouramangi spoke on Churchill Brothers' upcoming match against Mohun Bagan.
"It's a big match. We have been pretty much consistent. I think we have not tried to do any fancy things and haven't done very badly also. If we win, we have a chance to get back on top, depending on the results of the other matches."
"So we will try to keep to the tempo and be in the top three for as long as we can. It's a long way to go, but we'll just try to keep on winning and hopefully lift the title at the end of the season."
He Deserves It | Sunil Chhetri Receiving The "AIFF Player Of The Year" Award 2011
Gouramangi Moirangthem won the "AIFF Player Of The Year" Award 2010 and went on to congratulate international team-mate Sunil Chhetri for winning the accolade for the year 2011.
"I congratulate him (Sunil Chhetri) because he deserves it. We play in different clubs, so the only time we are actually together is during national camps where quite honestly I see him working out more than me.
"We all are professionals and take care of our fitness, eat the right food and do the right thing, but (Chhetri) is very serious and dedicated."
Asked if Chhetri can fill in Bhaichung Bhutia's boots, Gouramangi said, "I don't know if he likes it, but someone has to start to kind of lead the team in a way - may it be on the pitch or off it - and he has been upfront doing the same for which we all support him."
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