AFC Challenge Cup 2012
India will lock their horns with traditional rivals Pakistan in their second Group B match of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 qualifying round at MBPJ Stadium, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
India gave a perfect start to their qualifying campaign and trounced Chinese Taipei 3-0 in their first encounter played on Monday. The Bob Houghton boy’s are all geared up after notching up three points and are looking to confirm their birth in the main round garnering another three crucial points against Pakistan. While Pakistan started their journey on a fatal note and lost their opening game to Turkmenistan 0-3.
The team had an hour training session at University Grounds today in the afternoon. India had last played arch rivals Pakistan in Male during the SAFF Cup 2008, where they scored a 2-1 victory over Pakistan.
It was a welcome sign for the Indian team management and especially to the National Team coach, who decided to go for the qualifying round with a mix of youth and matured heads and the youngsters didn’t let their coach down as they came all guns blazing to beat Chinese Taipei in the opening encounter.
“The boys are in good spirit after winning the first game. It is always good to start with a win,” said chief coach of India, Bob Houghton.
“The second game is equally important for us and we will need to win against Pakistan tomorrow,” added The Briton.
“The win will virtually guarantee a place in the finals of the championship which remains high on agenda for us,” He further stated.
“A win tomorrow will put us in a better position and there wouldn’t be pressure on us in the third game as well as it will give a chance to try out some of younger players,” Bob concluded.
Sunil Chhetri’s journey as a captain started on a jovial note as not only he scored a goal, but also had two assists to his name.
The Delhi lad believes a win against Pakistan is the need of the hour and said, “Pakistan match is indeed important for us. We are taking it like any other match and will hope to garner three points to secure ourselves.”
Tags: AFC Challenge Cup 2012, Bob Houghton, Football, India, Kuala Lumpur, MBPJ Stadium, Pakistan, Petaling Jaya, Qualifiers, Sunil Chhetri
