Angry and disappointed with India’s 0-0 draw against Bangladesh during the Asian Cup qualification round match, head coach Manolo Marquez clearly said that his team needed a lot of improvement if they want to qualify for the continental centerpiece. India was held in a goalless draw by the lower class Bangladesh during his opening match C opening of the third qualification match on March 25 in Shillon, who left Marquez Fuming. India is against Hong Kong in its second game – an outside match – on June 10. The team started their training camp on Monday. “We have to improve a lot because I felt that the team was going ahead in each FIFA window except the last,” said Marquez, referring to the match against Bangladesh.
“It is true that for the match against the Bangladesh, we lost very important starting players. But this is no excuse for our poor performance in this match,” he said in a statement from the All India football federation (AIFF).
“We must be aware that we have a difficult game in Hong Kong. We have time to prepare, be competitive and try to win and get the three points.” India is placed in group C of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying the third round with Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Singapore, and only the best team after six home and outside games qualify for the continental centerpiece.
Singapore and Hong Kong also played a 0-0 draw in their opening match of group C. So there is nothing to separate the four teams after the opening day of the match.
Singapore will go to Dacca to face Bangladesh on June 10.
“I think all the matches are very difficult. I watched Singapore against Hong Kong. Singapore played much better in the first half, and Hong Kong was better in the second. It was a very equal game like the India-Bangladesh,” said Spanish.
Before the match against Hong Kong, India will face Thailand on June 4 in a friendly match by Pathum Thani.
Ranked 99th in the world, in 28 places above India, Thailand would be a good test for Blue Tigers, according to Marquez, despite the fact that Changsuek won Sri Lanka, classified by 200, by a thin margin of 1-0 in March.
“I see Thailand as a good preparation for the Hong Kong match because they are a Pot 1 team. I watched their match against Sri Lanka, and they only won 1-0. I think Sri Lanka did not deserve to lose this match,” he said.
Meanwhile, out of the 28 probable called by Marquez, 26 formed on the first day.
Defender Rahul Bheke, who became a recent father, will join on May 23. Ashic midfielder Kuruniyan suffers from illness and will begin to train with the Blue Tigers on May 21. India will travel to Thailand on May 28.
There are a few new faces in the Indian camp which won their first national team team after impressive performances for their clubs in the Indian Super League and the recently concluded Kalinga.
Mohun Bagan’s Suhail Ahmad Bhat, goalkeeper FC Goa Hrithik Tiwari and midfielder for Punjab FC Nikhil Prabhu hope to make a brand in the camp and make their debut in India.
“Suhail is a player with very good attacks in attack. We have seen in the Super Cup that he is a player who can end the actions well because his movements in the box are very good,” said Marquez.
“I know Hrithik perfectly. In my opinion, he will be a superior goalkeeper in India. Nikhil Prabhu is a player who grows a lot. He was a central defender but played very well as a defensive midfielder as well. He is a full player who is very good with the ball. He has improved a lot.
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