India’s captain, Sunil Chhetri, has called on his teammates to look ahead and concentrate on their upcoming match against Uzbekistan following a 0-2 defeat to the formidable Australia in their AFC Asian Cup opener.
Reflecting on the match, Chhetri acknowledged the challenges of facing the best team in Asia, stating, “It’s not easy to play against the best teams, as we don’t encounter them frequently, so you never know what to expect.”
Chhetri emphasized that the team’s focus is now squarely on their match against Uzbekistan scheduled for January 18. He commented, “It’s a mixed bag of feelings right now. Once we review the videos, perhaps we will gain more confidence and work on areas where we could have performed better. While Uzbekistan may not be Australia, they are still a formidable side, presenting a significant challenge in the upcoming game.”
Despite the loss, Chhetri commended his players, and head coach Igor Stimac expressed pride in the team’s performance. Stimac remarked, “I am proud of my boys. They showed that they are a group of honest, hard-working individuals committed to whatever we ask of them.”
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India, ranked 102nd in FIFA rankings, demonstrated that they can pose a challenge to teams positioned much higher, such as Australia at 25th place. Stimac acknowledged the room for improvement, particularly in the second half, but overall expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort against a highly competitive opponent.
