Thaindian News

Kathmandu, March 10 (IANS) India national football team head coach Savio Medeira feels that Sunday’s encounter against Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup will be a difficult one. The Philippines, like India lost, their first match in the tournament and would be seeking redemption.

Savio said the team would do their best to get a positive result and try not to squander chances. India had all the opportunities to take the lead and score goals in their first match against Tajikstan, but missed chances cost India the match as they lost 0-2.

“At times you don’t get the results which you strive for. But that won’t deter us to be committed for our future success. We will keep trying and give our 100 percent to get the result we all are striving for,” Savio quipped with confidence in his team.

“We had a spirited performance against Tajikistan. But we squandered some good chances to score in the first half. Hope things will improve in our next match,” added the Coach.

“We need to believe in ourselves and keep on playing good football, the result will come,” continued Savio.

Star striker and captain Sunil Chhetri, remained optimistic of staging a comeback and said: “It’s going to be another tough match but we are ready and we can pull off a great result on Sunday. We all will stay focused and do whatever is expected of us.”

Though some changes in the playing eleven looks imminent. Changes in the midfield and upfront would be on Savio’s mind. The midfield looked rusty in the match against Persians.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, who lost to DPR Korea and are a few places below India in the FIFA rankings, would be vary of the Indian challenge. They have never managed to beat India previously.