AFC Asian Cup | Nobody believed we will win but we did it in our first match, asserts Stephen Constantine

01/10/2019

Stephen Constantine has stated that despite nobody expecting the Indian team to win a match at the AFC Asian Cup, they have already won a game. The coach has also added that the team still needs to get better although they recorded their biggest victory against Thailand in their opening match.

India defeated Thailand 4-1 to top their group at the AFC Asian Cup tournament and will be pitted in the group-A along with hosts United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Thailand at the event. Coach of the National men’s football team is ecstatic at the recent result and has already termed the tournament success for India, as nobody expected the team to win the match.

"I don't care what anyone says, nobody thought we would get here. Nobody thought we were going to win a game. We are here, and guess what? We have won a game. Despite everything, we can get better and do things better," Constantine told ESPN FC in Abu Dhabi.

The head coach also delved into more serious issues pertaining to the football management and administration in India. He stated that coaching development and encouragement of the sport at the grassroots level should be continued.

"We have to do things better on the administration side and the coaching development side, which is still a disappointment. Then there is the focus on youth development and grassroots that needs to continue even if you win the World Cup. It is important now that the momentum continues and that Indian football continues to grow."

The Indian team will play their next game later today when they take on the hosts of the tournament United Arab Emirates(UAE). India currently sit at the top of the table in group-A ahead of the likes of UAE and Bahrain who are better-ranked sides compared to India.

"We have two very tough games. I thought Bahrain played very well in the opening game and I was impressed. UAE are the host nation and want to do well and it is going to be very difficult," Constantine said.

After India play the hosts, they will take on Bahrain in their final match of the group stages on 14th. Since four teams placed at the third position in the group stages, they can also sneak through to the knockouts and India would hope to at least draw their matches so as to become a strong contender to reach the knockouts.

"We will try to win the next two games and at least get points and hopefully we can squeeze in and qualify. But if that does not happen, have we been successful? Absolutely."