Qualifying for Asian Cup would reflect consistency: Constantine
OPTIMISM India coach believes there’s a legitimate chance of team making finals in UAE
National coach Stephen Constantine will start preparations for the final round of 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers in Mumbai on Sunday cautiously upbeat about India’s chances of qualifying and with the aim of eventually breaking into top-100 of the Fifa rankings.
In an interview to HT ahead of the national camp, Constantine also said making the 24-team finals would “reflect our (India’s) consistency.” Under Bob Houghton, India had played the 2011 Asian Cup finals so this would be India’s second finals berth in three editions.
“I think the last two years have been very productive… Going forward, our target is to qualify for the (2019 Asian Cup) finals,” said Constantine in an e-mail.
Constantine said there is a “legitimate chance” of India qualifying for the finals in UAE from a group that also has Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic and Macau. But by drawing a parallel with the 2018 World Cup qualifiers where India finished last in the group, he said it wouldn’t be easy. India start against Myanmar away on March 28 and play a friendly in Cambodia six days before that.
“We need to prepare well and if we do so, we have a chance,” he said. Preparing well would entail regular friendlies between now and March 27, 2018 when the home-and-away qualifiers end, he said.
India are likely to play Lebanon before the game against Kyrgyz Republic (June 13). “These games (friendlies) help us to understand the formations and the systems while helping the team to gel at the same time,” he said.
When he took charge in 2015, India were 171 in the Fifa rankings, three slots below Pakistan. They go into this month’s qualifier ranked 132. Constantine said the Fifa rankings provide “the platform to show improvement…(But) I am never satisfied as a coach and I would want to get into the top 100.” Constantine came here after taking Rwanda to their highest Fifa ranking of 68. “Not being afraid to introduce youngsters, I think, has been key to success in India and Rwanda. My target has always been to build a team for the future.”
So far, Constantine has given debuts to 30 players. The trend started in his first game against Nepal when he handed maiden caps to seven and has continued through this month’s probables’ list where he has named four newcomers.
Constantine said the lack of game time in the I-League for India’s first-choice central defenders Sandesh Jhingan and Arnab Mondal due to injury could be a “blessing in disguise.”
“Both boys played in the Hero Indian Super League and haven’t had the rest for some time. So, I am not too concerned that they haven’t played too many games. It actually helps us.”
Minerva Punjab FC held table toppers Aizawl FC to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling I-League match here.
Mahmoud Al-Amna (43rd minute) opened the scoring for Aizawl and Lalthakima (56th) doubled the lead before drama unfolded at the Guru Nanak Stadium. Loveday (61st) pulled one back for Minerva after the hourmark and Kareem Nurain (81st) levelled the scoreline.
In the first half, Minerva Punjab had more possession and Aizawl FC struggled to capitalise on their opposition’s mistakes.
Aizawl brought in their U-22 player Lalthamika in place of Kingsley who is serving a suspension.
These games (friendlies) help us to understand the formations and the systems while helping the team to gel at the same time
DSK Shivajians scored five goals in a big win against Mumbai FC on Saturday.
Holicharan Narzary’s (18th and 30th minute) two first-half strikes put the hosts in the driving seat and an improved secondhalf display saw Sanju Pradhan (48th minute), Jerry Mawihmingthanga (83rd) and Lallianzuala Chhangte (67th) add to the scoresheet, registering their biggest victory this season.
Shivajians are seventh on the table while Mumbai are last.