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On the eve of the first of two matches between India U-23 and Pakistan U-23, both teams appeared eager and confident to take on each other, and were unanimous in their insistence that this bilateral series was very important in their preparation for the Asian Games in Incheon.
The coach of the Indian national Football team, Wim Koevermans said, “I welcome our guests from Pakistan, it is always good for the two countries to play each other. These matches are always good, and I’ve been informed both of them have been sold out, which is great.”
Pakistan’s national team coach. Mohammed Shamlan Mubarak, expressed his thanks to the AIFF for organizing the friendlies, and said, “We are here to prepare for the future. This team has now been together for 9 months, and oour focus is on buliding a team. We want to generate experience in the team, and the forthcoming Asian Games are a good way to test ourselves.”
When asked about the difference in coaching, the Pakistan skipper, Md. Kaleemullah, who plies his trade professionally in Krygyzstan for Champions Dordoi Bishkek, had this to say, Each coach is different, and our combination play is now building up well. He also added “This is great exposure for us, and great preparation for the Asian Games. Our focus is on good performances and results.”
The Indian captain, striker Sunil Chhetri extended a warm welcome to the Pakistanis, and said, “It is very important for us to test where we are in terms of progress for the Asian Games. We have got time to gel, and have had good match practice. These two games, and the games we play in China will help us improve and become better.”
Koevermans made it clear that the Indian team is going into the Asian Games with a very upbeat attitude, and said that he is approaching the Asiad with an intention to win the gold. On the team’s reliance on Sunil Chhetri for goals, he said, “We look at where we need senior players, and use them accordingly. Sunil has proved that he can score goals consistently, and when we have created chances, he has been there to provide the finishing touches. That is why I pick him, and he delivers.”
On their recent tour of the Czech Republic, the Indians played teams from the 2nd and 3rd divisions there, and that the level was quite high, and so it was a great experience for the young team.
Finally, when both captains were asked for their expectations from these friendlies and the Asian Games, the answer given was the same: “We intend to win every match we play, even if it is a friendly, and will take it by game by game in the Asian Games.”
