India head coach Igor Stimac on Wednesday said his team has a "couple of players" with few injury issues but that will not stop them from going all out in an attempt to secure full points against Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup on Thursday. (Streaming | More Football News)
lost their opening game against tournament favourites Australia 0-2 after a spirited performance, while higherꦫ-ranked Uzbekistan are coming off a goal-less draw with Syria.
Blue Tigers head coach said, "It is a huge match for us. The first game was an experience for the boys, and now we face another difficult match. Uzbekistan are a very competitive side, and sinc♔e they did not gain a victory in their last game, we expect them to put a lot of pressure on us.
"But our boys are ready for the challenge. We are happy for this opportunity that lies ahead of us, and our mentality will be to win the game and get three point💛s."
India currently occupy the bottom spot in the group while Syria an♕d Uzbekistan are second and third respectively.
The race for the top three spots, however, r𓂃emains wide open 🅺in Group B.
The top two teams from each group, al꧋ong with the four best third-placed teams from the six groups, will book a spot in the Round of 16, which leaves the doors for qualification wide open.
ALSO READ: India's Record In Previous Editions
While India (ranked 102)𒐪 gave a good account of themselves against a higher-ranked Australian side (ranked 25), Stimac left 🙈the door open for changes to the starting XI.
"We do have a couple of players with some issues after the Australia game, so we will see what team we will go wit🥀h against Uzbekistan," said Stimac.
"Uzbekistan dominated Syria with 65 percent possession in t🍬heir last game and had many shots on goal, but Syria are also a physical side and played a 4-4-2 formation with strong counterattacks. But this game will be different."
Stimac outlined the impo▨rtance of playing wit♔h an attacking mindset.
"What we are looki﷽ng for are more attack-minded players. We also saw against Australia that instead of just clearing the ball, we could find ওthe flanks.
"We did that in😼 the first half, but there was no intent to do the same in the second," said Stimac.
"If that ♚happens🍌, they will keep coming and you keep getting tired."
India custodian Amrinder Singh, who last featured in the World Cup Qualifier against Qatar, said, "It's a big game for us tomorrow, and we are looking forward to it. We have studied what Uzbekistan d𝔉id in the game against S🥃yria, prepared our own strategies, and are ready for the game."
The gloveman, who is always in competition for the number one shirt with Gurpreeꦑt Singh Sandhu, feels that they feed off the competition be🍸tween each other to remain at the top level.
"Of course, there can only be one spot, but Gurpreet and I share a healthy competition, which motivates both of us to keep impro🌳ving," said Amrinder.
