India vs Puerto Rico Preview
When it comes to experience in handling higher ranked teams, India haven’t had the opportunity to do so in the past two years. That is finally set to change as they host Puerto Rico on Saturday at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
Indian Coach, Stephen Constantine is relishing the opportunity though, “The fact that we’re playing Puerto Rico who are 30 places above us is the same for us as it is when you play Iran or Oman. I don’t look at how much higher they are. If we want to get higher, we have to play teams and beat teams that are higher than us”.
“I would rather play Iran and lose 4-0 than play Bhutan and win 5-0”, he said. The nation from the Caribbean Sea landed in Mumbai, late Friday afternoon and would practically be able to have two practice sessions at most but Constantine couldn’t care less about his opponent’s tight schedule.
“Look they have a difficult schedule, that’s for sure. There is nothing I can do about that. I just have to focus on my team and my players. They’re a good side and have some good players. Hopefully, they maybe a little tired. It’s not the first time teams have arrived just hours before a game”, said the coach.
This young Indian side with an average age of 23 will fancy their chances against a tired Puerto Rican side. The Blue Tigers head into this match having won 8 of their last 10 games and hence confidence wouldn’t be an issue. Striker Sunil Chhetri believes this young squad is one of the best he has played with but doesn’t get too involved with the junior players, “As a senior player, I’ve understood that if you talk to the junior players too much, they get bored. I used to get bored too when I was young. I’d rather be a professional and let them follow me”.
“I try to be the first one on the pitch. Try to eat the right stuff and try to sleep at the right time. I believe that this way, the younger ones are going to follow you. If you keep calling them every time, one day they are going to abuse me behind my back and the following day on my face”, he said.
The visitors come into this game having suffered a heavy 6-0 aggregate defeat against the Dominican Republic. But Constantine is well aware of the threat they pose, "their build up is quite slow and like to pass the ball around. But in the final third, they become very dangerous. We saw them play recently against the United States- they had 3-4 very good chances in and around the box. The goal they scored was from three one-touch passes”, he warned.
The home side, as always, will look to leader and striker, Sunil Chhetri to get them the goals. The thirty-two-year-old had his hand strapped during training but Constantine confirmed he is raring to go, “I don’t think there is an alternative to Sunil. He is fine. He’ll be there and about. We didn’t play him in some of the previous games because there was the danger that his injury could get much worse. Playing him then could have ended his season”, he said.
Constantine also spoke about the changes he has observed in shot-stopper, Gurpreet Singh ever since his move to Norway. The 24-year-old will also captain India for tomorrow’s game- “He’s lost a bit of his colour, it’s very cold in Norway (laughs). I think when you’re in Europe, there is no chance to relax. For him to be there for the last 3 years on his own- it’s not easy for him. I know they like him as a player and a young man. His future is in Europe”, he concluded.
The pitch has been created down by the same team that laid the grass at the DY Patil Stadium in Nerul - it looks impeccably flat and smooth to play on. The hosts' main goal threat is undoubtedly Sunil and Jeje but in Sandesh Jhingan, they have a centre back who is extremely dangerous from set pieces. This one has all the makings to be a high scoring match.
India vs Puerto Rico Predicted Lineup
India (4-2-3-1): Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Pritam Kotal, Arnab Mondal, Sandesh Jhingan, Keegan Pereira; Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Md Rafique; Udanta Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sunil Chhetri; Sumit Passi;
Puerto Rico (4-4-1-1): Christofer Alexander Echevarria; Marcos Martínez, Alexis Rivera, Jacob Conde, Emmanuel D’Andrea; Juan Coca, Andreas Cabrero, Juan Velez ©, Javier Orlando; Karlos Ferrer; Michael Ramos;
India vs Puerto Rico Tickets :
The tickets are available to buy here.
India vs Puerto Rico Match Time:
The game will be live in India on the 3rd of September from 8 p.m.
Where to Watch it on TV:
Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD 2
India vs Puerto Rico Live Stream:
starsports.com
