India ready for Guam challenge

On a high after a win against Chinese Taipei in their opening match, India face Guam in their next encounter of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying tournament in Yangon, Myanmar, on Tuesday.

India notched up a 2- 1 win over Chinese Taipei via an injury- time goal from striker Robin Singh and Wim Koevermans’ men will look to repeat the show.

“We needed three points in the first match. That has set the ball rolling. We are prepared for the next challenge,” said India skipper Sunil Chhetri.

Guam, on the other hand, lost 0- 5 to hosts Myanmar and will be keen to make amends. Koevermans, however, is not taking the team lightly. “There’s no place for complacency,” he said. “Never underestimate your opponents. Never switch off. If you do, you’ll pay the price.”

Even against Chinese Taipei, India had failed to go ahead when midfielder

India notched up a 2- 1 win over Chinese Taipei and Wim Koevermans’ men will look to repeat the show

Mehtab Hossain missed an easy chance.

“International football is about fighting for every inch. As the coach said, we can never be casual. At the same time, we need to get over the tendency to concede,” Hossain said.

“Goals don’t come easy. When we score, it’s a team effort. Likewise, when we concede, it’s a collected failure. Against Myanmar, Guam conceded some soft goals too. We cannot take them lightly. There are quite a few US- based players in their squad,” he said.

For the record, two players from the Guam squad play in the MLS while three of them play in the League against the Philippines.