‘India must secure defence vs Bahrain’
NEW DELHI: Lauding India’s spirited performances at the Asian Cup football tournament, Northeast United FC coach Eelco Schattorie asserted that the boys in blue will have to focus on their defence in their third and inal group match against Bahrain.
The Indians have surprised fans, critics and rivals with their spirited performances in their first two matches at Asian football’s showpiece event.
The perennial underdogs have well and truly lived up to their nickname ‘Blue Tigers’ by asking tough questions of much higher rated teams in a tough Group A despite their technical and tactical limitations.
Although the Indian defence has mostly been well organised in the two matches, there have been occasional
lapses and Schattorie felt that India coach Stephen Constantine needs to focus on this aspect ahead of the encounter against Bahrain on Monday.
“Opponents do their homework and the key as I said in our first game against Thailand is India’s defence. The team’s defence was not accurate and with Bahrain, the long ball strategy will be similar as their striker is one who can run and have length which India really needs to ready themselves to face,” Schattorie told IANS in an interview.
Experienced central defender Anas Edathodika has recently come off an injury lay-off, Schattorie asserted that the Kerala player needs to polish up his combination with Anirudh Thapa at the back.