Performance against Syria gives hope for WC qualifier: Houghton

By IANS

New Delhi : The Indian team’s spirited performance against Syria in the Nehru Cup international football tournament will boost its chances against Lebanon in the first round qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in October, chief coach Bob Houghton said Friday.


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“We played well against Syria and they are a very quality side with some good players. If we play like this then we can have a fair chance against Lebanon in the World Cup qualifiers,” said Houghton after the team’s practice session Friday.

Houghton rated the 112th ranked Syria the best among the West Asian countries and said that the way his boys went down fighting will give them a fair edge in the World Cup qualifiers against the 135th ranked Lebanon. In the first round of the qualifiers, India will face Lebanon in their away match Oct 8 and then would play their home match Oct 28.

The 151st ranked India team showed true class against the Syrian team but still went down 2-3 in a thrilling encounter. India opened the scoring but the visitors struck thrice after that.

Despite being down 1-3, India came back into the game after a scintillating strike from Ajayan Nair in the 81st minute and in the last 10 minutes showed grit and determination to nearly get an equaliser.

“We played very well in the first two matches against Cambodia and Bangladesh but Syria was a slightly better side and deserved to win. But we ran them close and could have won,” said Houghton.

For India, their last match against Kyrgyzstan Sunday is important and the hosts have to at least draw it to qualify for the final. But Houghton maintained that his wards would go for a win.

“A draw might be enough for us to qualify for the final but we can’t go in with that mentality. We have to go for a win then only we can manage for a draw but if we go for a draw we may end up losing,” said Houghton.

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