Hosts India and Syria will go face to face within the winner-takes-it-all third and ultimate sport of the Intercontinental Cup trophy on Monday. India, who started the competitors with a goalless draw in opposition to Mauritius on Tuesday, are eyeing their second consecutive Intercontinental Cup triumph, and third total. Syria beat Mauritius 2-0 on Friday, which implies they maintain a slight benefit heading into the ultimate sport because the Eagles of Qasioun require solely a draw to assert the trophy. Syria have a protracted historical past of taking part in tournaments in India, however the title has all the time evaded them. The West Asians misplaced back-to-back Nehru Cup finals to India in 2007 and 2009 earlier than ending fourth in 2012.
In their final journey to India within the 2019 Intercontinental Cup, Syria led to third place. But for the Blue Tigers to disclaim them a primary silverware on Indian soil, they might want to finish a winless streak stretching again to November final yr.
“It shall be a troublesome sport for either side. It’s a pleasant sport, however the workforce who wins the sport wins the trophy. We count on to play sport and win the event,” mentioned India head coach Manolo Márquez, who celebrated his 56th birthday on Saturday.
But the Spaniard additionally famous that the necessity of the hour for the nationwide workforce is to play good soccer, and the outcomes will comply with.
“If you ask me, I want to play sport than to win the event. I do not wish to win it 1-0, scoring with the hand. I need that, on this second, the workforce understands our concepts and we play higher as a result of lastly, it isn’t about profitable or shedding.
“You must arrive at a method of play and that is what we’re specializing in. Obviously whenever you win, the arrogance grows after which it is simpler. But lastly now it is about that we imagine that we are able to compete in opposition to all of the groups.
“When you could have time to work, the chances for achievement are extra,” Márquez defined within the pre-match press convention.
Defender Jay Gupta concurred together with his coach’s phrases.
“Obviously, it is a sport the place we’ve got to struggle for the cup, however we’re simply targeted on how we adapt to what the coach desires as quickly as doable.” Having accomplished per week’s coaching in Hyderabad, the 22-year-old shared that the temper within the dressing room is constructive after the arrival of Márquez on the helm.
“I believe plenty of gamers have already been below coach Manolo for an extended time (within the golf equipment), so they might know learn how to adapt to him. But I simply wished to say the environment within the dressing room is admittedly, actually constructive,” mentioned Gupta.
Márquez shared that fitness-wise, there’s nonetheless work to do for the gamers for the reason that season is simply getting began, however total, he and his teaching employees are proud of the boys’ perspective within the coaching floor.
“When you’re within the pre-season, you aren’t in your greatest second bodily. In truth, some gamers completed the primary sport very drained. And that is regular. One good factor is that every one 25 gamers can be found for tomorrow.
“We are happy with how they’re working. We are very proud of the perspective they’ve in each coaching session,” mentioned Márquez.
Like India, Syria are additionally of their new period below new head coach José Lana.
The Spaniard was happy with their opening-game show in opposition to Mauritius as targets from Mustafa Abdullatif and Mahmoud Al-Mawas sealed a 2-0 win. He hopes to maintain progressing and do even higher in opposition to India.
“I believe India are an ideal workforce. I like the way in which they play with this coach. They attempt to transfer the ball quick. I believe it is going to be a troublesome match for us. And our solely goal for tomorrow is to be higher than our earlier match,” mentioned Lana.
Sharing extra ideas on the Indian workforce, the Syrian coach mentioned, “I believe they’ve good organisation. They know learn how to play after they haven’t got the ball. They attempt to press excessive. And after they have the ball, they attempt to play quicker and transfer the ball backward and forward.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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