File photo of Indian professional footballer Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India’s top footballers Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan believe Indian players will need to believe in their abilities to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time for two consecutive terms after getting an “interesting” draw.
India on Thursday drew with Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in Group D of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier to be played in Kolkata in June this year.
“It’s looking like an interesting draw. We’ve played against Cambodia and Afghanistan in the recent past, and from experience, I can tell you they weren’t easy games. Every time we play them they’re a draw. present extreme challenges – so none of the game will be easy,” goalkeeper Sandhu said in a release.
“We need to believe in our abilities, and go out with 100 per cent conviction to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. Once we have that mindset and goal, nothing can stop us Is.”
India will begin their campaign against Cambodia at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on 8 June.
The top teams from each of the six groups and the top five placed second teams will earn tickets to next year’s Asian Cup in China.
Current AIFF Player of the Year and central defender Jhingan said that “there are no easy games in modern football.”
“All the playing nations have improved a lot, and therefore, there are no easy games. A lot depends on us.”
Jhingan said, “We are confident and a talented group. The potential is huge, and the mindset is solid. We need to stick to the plan and give our best. Everyone is looking forward to it.”
As part of preparations for the final round of the qualifiers, India will play two international friendly matches against Bahrain and Belarus on March 23 and March 26 respectively – both to be held in Bahrain.
Defender Pritam Kotal said, “The preparations for the matches are starting from today. It will be a huge advantage for us to play in Kolkata.
“We need to make the most of it. I hope all the players stay away from injuries so that we can do our best to get a ticket to China,” he said.
(PTI reports)
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