Siliguri: Having lost to Nepal in the South Asian Football Federation Championship last month, the Indian football team is set to face a tough task as they lock horns with the Himalayan nation in an international friendly here on Wednesday.
After playing out a 1-1 draw with Philippines on Friday, India are still looking for their first international friendly win this year.
The last time the two teams met, Nepal edged past India 2-1 in Kathmandu.
Expecting a fierce challenge from the neighbours, national coach Wim Koevermans said his boys will go all out for a victory at the Kanchenjunga Stadium.
“It’s not a match of revenge as is being stated. Every team takes the field to win. Sporting culture says that once you lose to a team you stay keen to win it the next time you play. We want to win. But it’s not that easy. We know Nepal are a strong side,” Koevermans said.
“In the recent past we have not been able to convert our chances. We got plenty of them for sure. Chances only come when you play well.
“We are playing some good football and hope to carry on the trend,” he added.
India skipper Sunil Chhetri feels their loss in the last meeting would have no impact in Wednesday’s match.
“Tomorrow is a new game with both teams starting from the same score. History is there for stats,” said Chhetri, who is on the cusp of becoming the highest goal-scorer for India.
“To win matches you need to score. It just doesn’t matter as long as we convert our chances. Whether it’s me or anyone in the squad, it’s immaterial as to who scores,” Chhetri, who is presently tied with Baichung Bhutia on 42 goals, said.
Meanwhile, Koevermans and Chhetri congratulated Subrata Paul for signing a contract with Danish Superliga team FC Vestsjaelland.
“I’m very happy for him. I wish him all the luck,” Koevermans stated.
“He is a strong character. It’s such a wonderful news for Indian football,” Chhetri said.
“We are taking the Nepal match very seriously. Every match is important. We never underestimate any opponent,” Clifford Miranda said of the Nepal match.
“Nepal’s display in SAFF Championship showed how strong they are,” he maintained.
“Nepal know us as much we know them,” defender Arnab Mondal said. “It will be an interesting battle. Of course we will play to win but every team has the same aim when they take the field.
“There’s no denying that there’s an added confidence in the team especially after our display against Philippines. We should have won it but that’s football,” he argued.
Goalkeeper Subhasish Roychowdhury had praise for Meghalaya’s Airborlang Khongjee, who made his debut in the Philippines game, as well as the other defenders.
“Aiborlang Khongjee and Arnab (Mondal) did a splendid job as did Gurjinder (Kumar) and Denzil (Franco). Raju (Gaikwad) was also so composed as and when he came on as a substitute,” he said.
“There was such a huge turnout when India played Philippines. We expect a full-house against Nepal,” Roychowdhury added.
Khongjee, the 475th player to have played for India informed: “Arnab and myself talk to each other a lot. It helps and it did against Philippines.”
The match between the South Asian rivals will begin at 6pm.
