Skip to main content

INDIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM: STEPHEN CONSTANTINE REVEALS WHY CAMBODIA WERE THE PERFECT CHOICE AS OPPONENTS


India take on Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, and ahead of the encounter, head coach Stephen Constantine was quizzed upon various aspects leading up to the game.

He made it clear why the friendly against the Cambodian side was important, given that India visit Myanmar next week to play their first 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier.

“For us it is an important friendly. We have a difficult game after this with Myanmar. Coming to Cambodia means similar conditions, similar weather. I think it will be an interesting game for us. I wish Cambodia's new coach (Leonardo Vitorino) all the very best and good luck except not so much good luck tomorrow. We are taking this game very seriously and we are trying to give our best performance,” he opined.

He was made to reiterate his choice of opponents for the international friendly, and he elaborated on how the choice was a no-brainer for the Blue Tigers.

“My first views to play Cambodia was that it is very close to Myanmar and the conditions are very similar. They have recently played them in the AFF Suzuki Cup so it will be a good experience for us and will be close to how Myanmar play. Although Cambodia have a new coach and he will look to change somethings, but this was the main reason,” he felt.

Cambodia vs India Preview: Stephen Constantine's men look to get back on the pitch with a win

An ominous news for the Blues’ faithful was that a few players would be injury concerns for the game. However, Constantine stopped short of divulging who all were a part of that list.

“Yes, we have two or three players who are 50-50 for this game,” he revealed.

India made a choice of staying in Cambodia for an additional two days after the friendly instead of flying right off to Myanmar.

“Well, we wanted to stay here. We won't be able to train the same way over there. I am sure they (Myanmar) do not want us to be there too early. So, we decided that we will stay here for two or three days. It is better for us,” he explained.

Indian National Football Team: Know Your Rivals - Cambodia

This is Cambodia gaffer Vitorino’s first game in charge since his appointment after a dismal 7-2 loss to Saudi Arabia. Constantine, on a lighter note, wished him all the luck after the game was done!

“I did not come here to lose. I wish him all the best from the day after, but not tomorrow,” said the Englishman.

When asked for special targets in the Cambodian team, Constantine refused to bottleneck it down to a few, but rather said the whole side was capable of hurting the visitors.

“All of them. Anyone can hurt you anytime. I have seen them play two or three times and they are a good team with good intensity,” he concluded.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Utah gymnastics: Utes enjoy down time before ramping up again for Regionals

Members of Utah's gymnastics team will get back to work in the coming days to prepare for the NCAA regionals on April 1 after a few days of rest and light work to let their bodies recover. The fourth-ranked Utes are the top seed in the Fayetteville, Ark., regional, where they will compete against No. 9 Denver, No. 16 Cal, No. 21 Auburn, No. 27 Arkansas and No. 28 Central Michigan. The Utes, who won the Pac-12 title with a season-high 197.925, continue to put their focus on clean landings, the one area in which they feel they can improve, Utah co-coach Megan Marsden said. The Utes are using practice competitions and other means to focus on the landings. "They enjoy competition among themselves, and it helps to have a reason and purpose at this point in the year to keep it fresh," Marsden said. The good news is the Utes feel they can focus on the details because their training has been solid throughout the season. If anything, the coaches are toeing the line bet...
Post a Comment
Read more

Yuki Bhambri stuns defending champion Gael Monfils at ATP Citi Open

Yuki Bhambri stunned the tennis world when he defeated ATP Citi Open champion Gael Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Yuki Bhambri had set up the second round clash with world number 22 and defending champion Gael Monfils after his first round opponent had to retire. With this win, Bhambri, who is ranked at 200, has qualified for the pre-quarterfinals. It may be recalled here that before facing Monfils, Bhambri had said while speaking to the PTI, “It’s a good test. We fight and work to play these kinds of matches and compete against the best, so it’s a good opportunity,” and added, “He is the defending champion and a class player. I have nothing to lose,” said the 25-year-old Delhi lad. Bhambri has had a lot of ups and down in his career but this win certainly ranks among the highest. However, one of his main issues has been injury concerns. Earlier, addressing the concern, Bhambri had said, “It hasn’t been ideal, yes. It’s difficult to sit on the sidelines, but I am in recovery, working wit...
1 comment
Read more

Ind Vs Aus :Ind trail by 91 runs

India opener Murali Vijay said that centurion Cheteshwar Pujara's ability to absorb pressure makes it easier for the other batsmen to play their natural game. Pujara batted through the day to remain unbeaten on 130 and keep India afloat at 360 for six, 91 runs short of Australia's first innings total of 451 on Day 3 of the their Test in Ranchi. Heaping praise on Pujara, Vijay said: "Pujara has the game for it. He takes a lot pressure. His game is such that you can depend on him and play your natural game. It goes hand in hand. We both are in good form as well, so it helps the team at the moment." Vijay and Pujara put up 102 runs together for the second wicket in the first session and successfully countered the Aussie pace attack. "I think the game is evenly-poised. If we can get closer to the target and may be if possible extend a lead from there, it would be a good game in hand. They were bowling really tight to be honest. Myself and Pujara had a ta...
Post a Comment
Read more