Coach de Matos says India ready to fight as hosts face Colombia today

An undaunted Luis Norton de Matos promised no let-up in India’s approach against Colombia in their Group A match here on Monday.

India were beaten 0-3 by USA while Colombia lost 0-1 to Ghana. Both teams will look to collect their first points of the tournament.

“Colombia are tough opponents and they possess the necessary elements to hurt us. We have to be on our toes throughout and have to focus on the task at hand. They will also give us a tough physical fight but we are ready for it,” Matos said on Sunday.

“The team will fight to the last minute and play with confidence giving Colombia a run for their money. We will play to win. There is no other alternative for us. Every match we play is to win and if we win against Colombia, we will be creating history,” he added.

“The eventual target is to secure progression to the next stage while taking one game at a time. The strength of the Indian team is their collective ability to play football as a combined unit and we bank on that factor to help us win against Colombia.”

De Matos said his boys will learn from the mistakes committed against USA and emerge stronger.

“We had a nervy start against USA. It was their first match ever in a World Cup and emotions can be a little hard to control when you play in front of so many spectators for the very first time.”

The team will fight to the last minute and play with confidence giving Colombia a run for their money NORTON DE

MATOS India coach