The star striker remains hopeful of overturning the 3-0 deficit against UAE in the second leg at Team India’s fortress – New Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium.
Team India will need something special to comeback in their 2014 World Cup qualifying tie against UAE as Armando Colaco’s side lost the first leg 3-0 in Al Ain City on Saturday evening.
Star striker Sunil Chhetri echoed the thoughts of teammate Karanjit Singh, saying that tie is still within India’s reach as he believes an early goal will set the Indian team on their way to a famous upset.
We are up for the task. It’s just a matter of getting the act right and once we get an early goal, we can put pressure on the opponents (UAE).Star striker Sunil Chhetri echoed the thoughts of teammate Karanjit Singh, saying that tie is still within India’s reach as he believes an early goal will set the Indian team on their way to a famous upset.
“The important thing is not to think about what has happened in UAE but to think Thursday's match as a fresh game. Just go there and give our best,” the newly signed Mohun Bagan player was quoted saying.
The 26-year-old striker looked back to the first leg and praised the effort of the whole Indian team for putting up a fighting display with just nine men on the field.
“We are not as bad a team as people make out to be. It is surprising when you play with nine men and do not concede more than one goal.
"The credit goes to each and everyone for putting up such a brilliant display after we were down to nine men."
Chhetri has full faith in Karanjit Singh to repeat the heroics of the first leg but admits the absence of the suspended Subrata Paul will be felt.
“Karanjit had a great game and its gives us confidence that we have two reliable goalkeepers in the team. But at the same time, the absence of Subrata will be felt as not only he is a great goalkeeper but also manages the defence quite well.”
The Delhi lad talked about how lucky the Ambedkar Stadium has been for the Indian team in the recent past and therefore is calling on his teammates to make the most of their home advantage on Thursday evening.
"We have the home advantage and will look to capitalize on that. We have won three tournaments in three years here (Ambedkar Stadium) and the 4-1 hammering of Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 final shows how well we play here.
“It doesn’t matter who scores as long as we get the result we need and with the crowd on our side we are confident of doing well in the home leg.”
The Delhi lad talked about how lucky the Ambedkar Stadium has been for the Indian team in the recent past and therefore is calling on his teammates to make the most of their home advantage on Thursday evening.
"We have the home advantage and will look to capitalize on that. We have won three tournaments in three years here (Ambedkar Stadium) and the 4-1 hammering of Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 final shows how well we play here.
“It doesn’t matter who scores as long as we get the result we need and with the crowd on our side we are confident of doing well in the home leg.”
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