Football WC qualifiers: India ready to battle the odds
The burden of expectations was apparent when India football coach Armando Colaco stepped in for a media session ahead of their World Cup qualifying second-leg match against the UAE at the Ambedkar Stadium on Thursday.
India might be going into the game as crowd favourites, but the UAE have done enough in the past to ensure that fans return home disheartened.
Hosting the first-leg tie at Al-Ain, last Saturday, the men from the emirates thrashed the visitors 3-0, who were reduced to a nine men.
To India’s dismay, ace goalkeeper Subrata Pal and defender Debabrata Roy were given the red card in the very first few minutes of the match.
Not being able to cope with the setback, Colaco admitted that the two penalties conceded had demoralised the team further.
India will now have to beat the UAE by a 3-0 margin — and not concede another goal — to keep their third round hopes alive.
“That is quite a mountain to climb. And if we begin attacking, I am frightened that we may be punished. UAE are a strong team,” Colaco admitted here on Wednesday.
