Doha: Indian soccer crew stars, together with skipper Sunil Chhetri, on Wednesday expressed confidence of doing nicely within the joint 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers subsequent month, regardless of their preparations not being perfect owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. India are scheduled to play Asian champions Qatar on June 3, Bangladesh on June 7, and Afghanistan on June 15, with all three matches to be performed on the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium right here.
The crew is at the moment stationed within the Qatari capital, getting ready for the duty forward. “We are making probably the most of the circumstances,” Chhetri said during a video conference organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Top defender Sandesh Jhingan added, “The confidence in the squad is high. We have done it earlier and there’s no reason why we can’t do it again. We have grown as a team and we need to take it forward together.” Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stated, “We perceive that the preparations haven’t been perfect however we’re assured in our skills as a crew. We usually are not scared, and shifting into the qualifiers, that’s necessary.” AIFF President Praful Patel contacted with the senior members of the team to get a feel of their preparations ahead of the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The president encouraged the players to stay fit and wished them luck. “More power to all of you. I wish all of you good health and strength. We are extremely proud of you,” Patel stated. “We spoke to the Qatar authorities and we had been fortunate that they didn’t insist on the 10-day quarantine, and that has allowed the squad to assemble in Doha and start our coaching periods,” the president stated.
The Indian team, fourth in Group E with three points, is out of contention for a World Cup berth but is still in the reckoning for the 2023 Asian Cup in China. “This has been a terrible time. We have not had any normalcy as such. The format of the leagues was also different — all played from inside the bubble. I understand and appreciate the concern of Igor and the entire team arising out of the difficult circumstances,” Patel said.
Head coach Igor Stimac thanked the president for serving to the squad arrive early in Doha. “We are grateful to you Mr. President and all within the AIFF for offering us the chance to come back earlier, and likewise taking our trigger with the Government of Qatar and arranging for us to coach even throughout quarantine,” Stimac said. Apprising the president about the daily schedule of the squad, the coach added: “The expectations are high but realistically the situation hasn’t been ideal.”
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