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For the first time in Wim Koevermans’ tenure India will be utilising both FIFA match dates in a month as they will be playing international friendlies against Philippines and Nepal over the next five days in Siliguri.
Ahead of Friday’s encounter against Philippines on Friday, Koevermans expressed his delight on getting to play these two matches and clearly stated that his team are determined to get a result.
“I am very pleased to be playing two friendlies and it’s a great pleasure to have the Philippines team here despite the tragedy (of typhoon Haiyan). We need to play such international friendlies to get more experience and sometimes play stronger teams like the Philippines.
“It’s not always possible to play the top teams but this is a good opportunity for us. I still believe there was too much negativity around the SAFF Championship. We didn’t win it but ended up being the better team in the final. We should have won it but can look forward to these two friendlies and we will play to win them like we always do,” Koevermans stated at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
The Dutchman boldly dropped all the IMG-Reliance contracted players and made nine changes from the SAFF Champinoship squad. As a result the India team lacks a bit of experience especially at the back but Koevermans defended his decision.
“It was difficult during the SAFF Championship as many of the IMG-Reliance players didn’t have clubs and the situation there still hasn’t changed completely. As a coach, you will always get very little time with the national team but I am happy with our preparation for these matches. There is a lot of talk about the inexperience in the team but looking at the names I still feel there is plenty of experience.
“The friendlies also gives some new faces the chance to prove themselves. You will always get complaints about squad selections but you have to be careful and cant always change everybody because international football is very difficult,” said the former Netherlands international.
On paper at least, Philippines look to be the better side because of the presence of their several foreign-based players. Koevermans admitted that Indians also need to start plying their trade abroad but stated that improving the I-League should remain priority.
“First of all we should look after the I-League and try to improve its overall quality. But of course it helps a player’s confidence if they get to train abroad. Trials also help in improving a player but if they can manage to play permanently there then it is even better,” Koevermans concluded.
