New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) Riding high on the success of Nehru Cup win, the Indian football team leaves Wednesday for its overseas camp in Dubai before the 2010 World Cup qualifier match against Lebanon next month.
“We have a good chance of winning the match. The boys are on a high after the win against higher ranked teams like Syria in the Nehru Cup,” India captain Bhaichung Butia told IANS from the camp in Goa.
“The win was needed very much for the sake of Indian football. We have gained momentum from the Nehru Cup win and a victory against Lebanon will keep the momentum going,” he said.
India, who moved up six places to the 145th spot, will take on the 144th ranked Lebanon in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers Oct. 8 in Beirut. India will then host the west Asian country in the return leg in Chennai Oct 28.
“They (Lebanon) are a quality side and one of the major football powers in west Asia. We have to give our best to get past the first round,” said Bhutia.
India coach Bob Houghton is however, keeping the cards close to his chest and by now must have gathered much knowledge about the Lebanese team. The Englishman had spent a few years of his coaching career in the Middle East and is well aware of Lebanon’s style of play.
The chief coach also came directly from Cape Town to see Mahindra United play Lebanon’s top club Al Nejmeh in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium here Sep 18.
Houghton had a fair idea after he saw three national players Mohammed Gaddar, Bilal Najjarine and Yehia Hachem, who play for Nejmeh.
The mood in the camp is upbeat and some of the players said Houghton has changed the mentality of the team.
“Houghton has instilled an attacking mentality in us. The team will give a tough fight and we will go for a win against Lebanon,” said defender and senior player Mahesh Gawli.
The Indian team will camp in Dubai till Oct 5 and reach Beirut the next day. Five Mahindra United players, who have gone to Beirut to play the return leg of the AFC Cup match against Al Nejmeh will join the team in Dubai Thursday.