India aim for a win against Nepal

Siliguri, Nov 18 (IANS) India are itching to beat Nepal in a football friendly here Tuesday, two months their painful loss in Kathmandu.

The loss to Nepal in their own backyard during the SAFF Cup still hurts the Indian team.

Coach Wim Koevermans, however, played down the talk of a “revenge game”.

“We played an interesting match against the Philippines and know this (against Nepal) will be an interesting match too. We are looking forward to it,” Koevermans said referring to India’s draw with the Philippines at the Kanchenjunga Stadium here Friday.

“It’s not a match of revenge as is being stated. Every team takes the field to win. Sporting culture says that once you lose to a team, you stay keen to win it the next time you play. We want to win,” Koevermans stated.

“But it’s not that easy. We know Nepal are a strong side as we played them in the Nehru Cup and then in the SAFF Championship.”

At the pre-match media interaction, Nepal’s head coach Jack Stefanowski said: “We look forward to the match and I am confident.”

While there are no injury concerns in the Indian team, Stefanowski will be taking a final decision on Raju Tamang on the morning of the matchday.

India captain Sunil Chhetri, at present tied with Bhaichung Bhutia on 42 Goals as India’s highest-ever goal-scorer, felt it just “doesn’t matter as long as someone scores”.

“To win matches you need to score. It just doesn’t matter as long as we convert our chances. Whether it’s me or anyone in the squad, it’s immaterial as to who scores,” he said.

“Tomorrow is a new game with both teams starting from the same score. History is there for stats,” he referred to India’s loss to Nepal in the SAFF event.

Meanwhile, Koevermans and Chhetri congratulated Subrata Paul for signing a contract with Danish Superliga team FC Vestsjaelland. “I’m very happy for him. I wish him all the luck,” Koevermans said.

Chhetri, who has played for long with Paul in the national team, lauded his signing for the Danish Club. “He is a strong character. It’s such a wonderful news for Indian football,” he said.