‘ India can qualify for last 16’
New Delhi, May 5: India have the ability to qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup’s knockout stage, said national team coach Stephen Constantine after the country was clubbed with hosts United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Bahrain in Group A of the tournament.
The draw was held Dubai on Friday.
“I think it’s a group from where we can qualify to the knockout stage. I won’t say it’s an easy group but we have the ability to win against some of these teams and on our day, we can beat most of them,” Constantine, who attended the draw along with team manager Shanmugam Venkatesh, said.
“All these teams will give us different kinds of problems and we have to be prepared before facing in them in the AFC Asian Cup,” he added.
The last time India participated in the continental tournament, in 2011, they were drawn with South Korea, Australia and Bahrain in a tough draw, returning home after losing all three group matches.
CHAMPS DRAW SYRIA, JORDAN Defending champions Australia were drawn in Group B with Syria, Jordan and Palestine for the event to be held from January 5 to February 1 next year.
Japan, who have won the event a record four times, are expected to sail through to the round of 16 from Group F which also includes Uzbekistan, Oman and Turkmenistan.
Former champions Iran and Iraq have been slotted in Group D along with Vietnam and Yemen, while feuding neighbours Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been drawn in Group E with North Korea and Lebanon for company.
The champions will receive $ 5million while The runners- up in the richest- ever Asian Cup will pocket $ 3 million while all 24 teams taking part will be awarded $ 200,000 for merely qualifying.
The tournament will kick off with a Group A match between hosts UAE and Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 5.