India’s football coach Stephen Constantine wants players to focus

The Indian football team has been remarkable of late, enjoying an unbeaten streak of 13 international matches. They have even qualified for the AFC Asian Cup with a match to spare in the third round of qualification. However, head coach Constantine, who presided over the unbeaten run of 13 internationals, has asked his players not to be complacent and remain focused, after having endured a “difficult” qualification.

“We have already qualified and will have to be very careful to maintain our focus and try to get the three points,” Stephen Constantine was quoted saying by the Indian Express. 

India playKyrgyz Republic in an away game on March 27, which will be inconsequential to the qualification. However, Constantine is not taking them easily by any means.

“They are a very good side and we can expect a similar game as we had against them in Bengaluru. They have good quality all over the field but so do we. They also have the home advantage this time around,” Constantine said. 

India, however, will be missing a few key players. Sunil Chhetri will be the biggest absence after he saw double yellow booking, while Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Jackichand Singh and Nikil Poojary all remain injured. 

“We always play to win. We have, however, a number of players who are out for the match. Sunil Chhetri is serving a double yellow booking, Eugeneson Lyngdoh is injured and so are Jackichand Singh and Nikil Poojary. But this is football and the players replacing them should look at this as an opportunity to make an impression,” the coach added. 

Before the Asian Cup Finals, India will be playing the Intercontinental Cup, the SAFF Championship and the Asian Games.