India may still be searching for their first win under Manolo Marquez nearly four months into his tenure but goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu on Wednesday backed the head coach and said qualifying for the next AFC Asian Cup is the team's "minimum" target. (More Football News)
"The past is past; we can't change it. As a team, we always want to win," said Gurpreet ahead of their h🦩ome friendly against Malaysi🥂a here on November 18.
"Phasꦺes like this happen -- there was a phase when we were winಞning and not losing.
"It's ab🐲out how you handle it and not getting bogged down by it. We're lucky to get opportunities to do well again and again. We need to use the games we've played against good opposition as stepping stones.
"The (1-1) Vietnam draw was a good test for us, and we need to carry the same understanding and energy into the nex💫t game," he added.
After a disastrous 2023 Asian Cup outing, previous head coach Igor Stimac was replaced in July this year by Marquez, who iꦯ❀s also managing ISL franchise FC Goa.
Under Marquez, India drew with Mauritius and Vietnam and suffered a 0-3 loss♉ to Syria.
The transition has been marke⛦d by the retirement of star forward Sunil Chhetri.
"A transition like this is always difficult. Everything would feel perfect if we started winning games r🥀ight away, but the important thing to remember is that we've played very competitive t🌺eams since the coach (Manolo Marquez) took over.
"He's trying to instil his pܫhilosophy, and that's going to take time. In every camp, we're getting closer to what he wants from us as a team. With time, training, and the level of coaching he has, I have no doubt we'll be a strong team in the qualif🍌iers.
"Qualifying for the Asian Cup is something we should strive for every single time, as we've done in the last two editions. Tha🌃t should𓃲 be minimum for us. It should be a no-brainer for us as a team."
Sandesh is a once-in-a-generation defender
The upcoming mat🦂ch will mark the comeback of India's defensive mainstay Sandeꦍsh Jhingan. He is returning after recovering from a knee injury he sustained in a match against Syria earlier this year.
"I'm very happy to have Sandesh back in the squad. The team is very young, 𝓀and sometimes it's hard to have conversations with the younger players. Having someone like him in the ꦇdressing room is great.
"He's an important pillar for his c♔lub and the national team. Like Sunil bhai, he's a once-in-a-generation player, defender for us," said Guꦓrpreet.
He also hailed India forward Man🤡vir Singh and🤡 said he is a "natural goal-scorer".
"Manvir is a very good player, with great physicality and stamina -- he can run up and down the flanks. He has thജe potential to be a natural goal-scorer, in my opinion.
"He's versatile and can be used on the flanks or as a No. 9. Using h🍬im in both defensive and attacking set-pieces is key for us.
"We need players ꦆlike Manvir 𒁃to stay hungry for the national team, to keep pushing our attacking threats forward," said Gurpreet.
Since taking ove♔r as India's No. 1 goalkeeper from ꦕSubrata Paul, Gurpreet has been a key figure for the national team.
The experienced goalkeeper emphasised the importance of tܫeam unity and healt🎀hy competition as India prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup Qualifiers.
"I don't think it's been a long time; in my opinion, it's probably been a short time (as No. 1 goalkeeper) in my experience," he said reflecting on his 𓆉journ🦂ey.
"I would love to play for the national team -- it comes with a lot of responsibility. I know the importance of it, and as long as I give my 100 percent, I'm satisfied. As for who 𒁏plays or not, that's not my decision; it's up to the coaches, and we have to respect that."
He also praised the competition within the squad, singling ou🅰t the talented Vi🔯shal Kaith and Amrinder Singh.
"Vishal is a great keeper, a very talented player. I'm very happy for him. It's a pleasure to have 𒉰him in the team, knowing there's someone who can push me just like Amrinder did.
"If our roles were reversed, I𒈔'd do the same for him. It's all about being in the team. It's not about who plays or doesn't; it's about achieving our goal for the Indian team.
"For me, it's important to do what I've learned from Sunil bhai. He always gives 100 percent, keeps a positive and competitive environment, and ensures the mood is good. We're all working towards one aim right now, which is to qualify for the Asian Cup,🐼" he signed off.
