The tag of favourites might be pinned on Australia, but former striker Bhaichung Bhutia insisted that India have the ammunition to surprise the world No. 25 Socceroos in their AFC Asian Cup group match in Qatar on Saturday. (IND Vs AUS Streaming).
India is clubbed with title ൩contenders Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria in Group B.
“ꦅYou never know. I will not be surprised if India gets a good result tomorrow, I mean we have the team to surprise them. You know, Australia is not the Australia of a decade ago. We also have made progress as a team," Bhutia told PTI on Friday.
"Yes, it will be a tough match, but it🐽 is not an impossible task (to get a good result) for this side against them,” said the former captain, who is in༒ town for the Masterclass programme organised by Orchids School.
So, can India reach the ൲Round of 16 in the tournament?
“First thing first, we need to tackle Australia. I๊f we can get a good result against them, who knows,” said Bhutia.
However, Bhutia, who played more than 100 matches for the country between 1995 and 2011, said the absence of some key players like ♏Ashique Kuruniyan, Jeakson Singh and Anwar Ali could just peg back the India side a bit.
Defender Ali, midfielder Jeakson and winger Kuruniya𒈔n are recovering fro🗹m their respective injuries and have not travelled with the team.
“Yes, it may be a bit of a concern because t♒hese are experienced players. I think the absence of Kuruniyan will especially hurt India. He is a strong𝐆 and versatile player, who has the speed and skill.
"He 🌱is a constant threat to the opposition. But 🐈that said we have other good players who can make an impact,” Bhutia added.
As ever, India will depend on their talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri to find the goals ag☂ainst s🗹ome tough rivals in the event.
Bhutia 🅘admitted there could be a case of over-reliance but added that r🍨ight now Chhetri is India’s best bet to net goals.
“He (Chhetri) is a wonderful player. The need of the hour i🐓s to score goals and it is soothing to know that we have a dependable player in that department. Every team needs someone to get those crucial strikes.
"Hopefully, we can provide some good assists to 🔯him and I am sure there will be a couple of chances to find the back of the net,” said the꧋ ‘Sikkimese Sniper’.
“Yeah, he is getting old and, perhaps, we will have to unearth a couple of more Chhetris ve✤ry soon,” he said with a smile.
The 47-year-old lauded head c🔯oach Igor Stimac for keeping India a combat-ready outfit.
“He (Stimac) has🌠 proved to be a good coach. India had done well in the last couple of tournaments under him. He knows how to keep the players in high spirits during a match.
"I think we’ve had a good amount of preparation for this tournament despite those injuries that you were mentioning, and it’s now a🥂ll about🍰 the right execution,” Bhutia opined.
Bhutia, a member of the sports ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell, said India’s strong effort in the Hangzhou Asian Games will have its reflection on the﷽ country’s outing in the Paris Games later this year.
“We are hoping to better our👍 Tokyo (Olympics) medal tally in Paris. I think the commitment the sports ministry has s꧟hown to this mission Olympic programme…we've given support of every possible nature to the athletes.
“So, we definitely are expecting good ꦜresults from Paris. Neeraj (Chopra) had given us gold in javelin, and who kno🍎ws there could be a couple of more (gold medals). So, fingers crossed,” he concluded.
