After Thailand high, upbeat India up against hosts UAE
ASIAN CUP Needing a draw that could seal them a last-16 berth, Constantine says boys will go toe to toe with rivals
ABUDHABI:FRESH from the surprise 4-1 rout of Thailand in their opening game of the AFC Asian Cup campaign, a buoyant India take on hosts UAE in a stiff test of their credentials at the Zayed Sports City Stadium here on Thursday. Top of Group A after one game, India’s hopes of reaching the Round of 16 received a major boost after Sunday’s comprehensive win. Stephen Constantine’s side could effectively seal a place in the next round with a draw against UAE.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the game, India coach Constantine said the pressure will be on the hosts to win. “We know all the three games are going to be very tough. There’ll be no easy game at this level. “But we’ll go toe-to-toe with them. A game is not played on paper, but on the pitch. The UAE are the hosts and will be under pressure. It’s understandable they will go for all three points,” he said. “They are a physical, as well as a skilful side. I am not worried about our fitness. We have to play our best game to get the result.”
Constantine also informed that Sunil Chhetri will be replacing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as captain for Thursday’s match.
The hosts, on the other hand, started with a tame display against Bahrain in their opener and managed to escape with a 1-1 draw after a controversial penalty was awarded to them late in the game. With just a point in the bag, Alberto Zaccheroni’s team will be desperate for a win on Thursday. Despite their modest start to the continental campaign, UAE will start as firm favourites against India, a team they haven’t lost to since April, 2001.
That last win for India came in a World Cup qualifier in Bangalore with Jules Alberto scoring the winner for the team. India had been 60 places behind the UAE in the FIFA rankings at the time.
While the disparity in ranking
› UAE will be very difficult. Taking nothing away from Thailand, it was the least difficult match. SUNIL CHHETRI, on UAE match › I was so happy that Jeje scored the goal against Thailand. He deserves to get the goal, especially at this level. S CONSTANTINE, on Jeje
is lesser this time — UAE are ranked 79th and India 97th — India still have their task cut out against a much stronger side.
After their opening game, Zaccheroni had blamed the draw on a lack of ‘fight’ from his players and vowed to correct the same against India. “What we lacked on the pitch was the fighting qualities from the players. We will address this when we are preparing for the next game against India and we’ll come with a different attitude,” Zaccheroni had said. Against Bahrain, forward Ali Mabkhout found himself isolated for large parts of the game. Zaccheroni will hope the Al Jazira forward receives better supply against India.
For India, on the other hand, Ashique Kuruniyan put up an impressive display on the left flank against Thailand as he regularly caused problems for the opposition backline with his speed and movement. While Chhetri scored two goals, Constantine would also have been relieved to see Jeje Lalpkehlua get on the scoresheet later in the game coming off the bench.
The Mizo forward, who scored in a 2-2 draw against UAE the last time the two sides faced each other — in a World Cup qualifier in Delhi — has struggled for form. With his club Chennaiyin rooted at the bottom of the ISL standings, Jeje’s form has taken a severe hit.
It eventually cost him a starting place against Thailand, with Kuruniyan making the XI instead. Back to scoring ways, Constantine had words of praise for the 28-year-old forward. “Jeje is a very good player. Unfortunately, he did not have much game time recently. You put Jeje in the position and he will score. I was so happy that he scored the goal against Thailand,” he said.
JAPAN WIN
Yuya Osako netted a double as Japan survived a scare to beat Turkmenistan 3-2. Turkmenistan’s Arslan Amanov put the underdogs ahead after 26 minutes. Osako equalised in the 55th and put Japan ahead in the 59th.
Ritsu Doan added a deflected third after 70 minutes, but Ahmet Atayev smashed in a penalty 11 minutes from time for the Emeralds to ensure a nervous finish for the Japanese.
UZBEKISTAN TRIUMPH
In the other Group F match, Uzbekistan beat Oman 2-1. Eldor Shomurodov scored the winning goal in the 85th minute. Uzbekistan finished the match with 10 men after defender Egor Krimets was sent off in stoppage time after fouling an opposing player who was through on goal.
After narrowly missing out on qualifying for its first World Cup, Uzbekistan are now seeking to continue their run of reaching at least the quarter-finals at the last four Asian Cups.
Meanwhile in a Group E match, Qatar beat Lebanon 2-0 in their opening encounter.