2014 World Cup Qualifier: I Am Proud Of My Team’s Two-Goal Fightback In The Second Leg – India Coach Armando Colaco

Despite getting knocked out of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, India coach Armando Colaco expressed satisfaction of his team’s comeback in the second leg at the Ambedkar Stadium.

India’s 2014 World Cup dream got over on Thursday evening at New Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium as the 2-2 draw in the second leg against UAE saw them go down 5-2 on aggregate.

However coach Armando Colaco stated that he was proud of his team’s comeback from two goals down.

“I am proud of my team’s fightback. We showed great spirit once again and that made the crowd appreciate their performance. A new era in Indian football has started but we have to be patient,” Colaco was quoted saying at the post-match press conference.

Colaco claimed that without the sending offs in the first leg, India could have done better over two legs and admitted that the two goals which UAE scored were because of individual errors from his side.

“The scoreline would have been different in Al Ain City if it was 11 against 11. 3-0 was always a tough mountain to climb so I asked my players to just give their all.

“We played very well today but yes we could have avoided the two goals that we conceded as the first Samir shouldn’t have gone for the final tackle while in the second Lalrindika was punished for a misplaced square pass.”

The Dempo coach opined that the rain didn’t really help his team’s cause but insisted that his players adjusted well to direct style football.

“Rain wasn’t really an advantage for us we had to play direct style football but I believe the boys adjusted well and gave UAE enough problems with our plan B.”

With India going down six places in the FIFA Rankings on Wednesday, Colaco was asked several questions on the national team’s next step.

The former midfielder talked about the need for more international exposure and also gave some indications of his future as India head coach.

“The current India squad has a lot of potential and the best thing is that the younger players have really stepped up. I will sit down with Mr. Kushal Das and talk about the need of more important matches for both the senior team and Under-23.

“I am very happy with my role here as India coach so I will sit with Mr.Das and our Dempo chief to discuss future plans because I really want to help the national team grow.” 

-Goal 

 

2014 World Cup Qualifier: We Are Much Better Than India In Normal Conditions – UAE Coach Srecko Katanec

 

UAE coach Srecko Katanec was pleased with the performance of his players in the second leg but claimed beating India over two legs wasn’t a big achievement

UAE threw away a two-goal lead in the second leg of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against India at New Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium on Thursday evening. But the 2-2 draw was enough to keep the West Asians a 5-2 aggregate win as they progress to the third round of the qualifiers.

Coach Srecko Katanec was satisfied with his team’s performance but stated that there is plenty of room for improvement.

“The conditions were very difficult for my team as we are not used to it but the boys adapted very well and the two goals we scored killed off the tie. However I must say that there are some areas where we must work and improve to compete in the next round,” Katanec was quoted saying in the post-match press conference.

The Slovenian coach revealed that he was tempted to not play in such difficult rainy conditions but in the end his side got on with it.

“You cannot play football in such difficult ground conditions. We were not keen on playing but there wasn’t any point postponing so we got on with it.”

Katanec was impressed by the support that Team India got and wasn’t too concerned with the fact that his team couldn’t win on the night.

“The support that India got was amazing. The fans kept pushing the Indian players, we don’t see that even in UAE so it was great to watch. We are much better than India in normal conditions but we could have won tonight also. The important thing was to go through so I have no complains.”

Despite winning the tie over two legs, Katanec wasn’t getting carried away as he opined that India are not as good as the very best teams in Asia.

“We didn’t have the correct footwear also to play in rainy conditions but I must congratulate my boys for their efforts. But let’s not get too carried away as to be honest India are nowhere near the top nations of Asia.” 

 -Goal