India had the better of Mongolia in the opening round which it won by a comfortable 2-0 margin. For the island nation Vanuatu, the start was not ideal as it went down 1-3 to Lebanon.
India will be seeking to continue its winning form as it meets Vanuatu in the alternate round of the Intercontinental Cup league institutions, at Kalinga Stadium on Monday.
India had the better of Mongolia in the opening round which it won by a comfortable 2- 0 periphery. For the islet nation Vanuatu, the launch wasn’t ideal as it went down 1- 3 to Lebanon. With the top two brigades in the league standings listed to play the final, a palm against 164th- ranked Vanuatu will be taking India close to the title round.
India’s head trainer Igor Stimac sounded satisfied with the way his platoon performed against Mongolia to bring up its sixth successive palm at home( the count starts with India’s qualification to the Asian Cup last time). “ We’ve further games this month and I’m certain that all the hard work the boys are putting on the pitch is costing them the prices, ” Stimac said of India’s chances in the ongoing event and in the forthcoming SAFF Championship latterly this month.
“It isn’t an easy task as the boys brazened the violent heat and moisture (of Bhubaneswar) and passed three weeks of training without any complaint, ” he added.
Important like Mongolia, Vanuatu will be playing its first match against India.
“We knew it would be delicate but we had a good game against Lebanon. Being then’s a great experience for the Vanuatu platoon. We’ve no way played brigades like India, Lebanon and Mongolia ahead. It’s always grueling to play in Asia, ” said the Vanuatu head trainer Etienne Mermer after his platoon’s first spin in the event.
The Oceania country isn’t new to Indian fledglings as an under- 18 side voyaged Vanuatu in 2019 and beat the host 1- 0 en route to winning an OFC youth development event in its capital Port Vila. From the current team of the elderly Indian platoon, left- back Akash Mishra is the only player from that inferior side that had travelled to the Southern Pacific nation.
Making his assessment of Vanuatu from its opening match against Lebanon, the Indian head trainer felt that his boys will have to contend against a physically robust side.
“What we saw in Vanuatu’s game against Lebanon, it’s egregious that they’re a physical side. They’ve their strengths and sins, so we need to get ready for such a game, ” Stimac said. Know More Latest Football News…
