Mumbai: India are warming up for the June 13 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan by taking on Nepal here June 6 and medio Eugeneson Lyngdoh stated Saturday that in spite of the match being a ‘friendly’ it would be a crucial one for the team.
“The mood in the team is great. We are all excited to be representing the country again after the long season. The Nepal game is important because it will help us gel as a team after the long I-League season when most of us were playing for our respective clubs,” Lyngdoh told reporters here ahead of the team’s training session at the Football Arena in the Andheri Sports Complex here.
It should be mentioned here Lyngdoh had made his international debut against Nepal two years ago. Since then India’s world ranking has improved and Lyngdoh has been part of the climb to the world’s 100th rank.
“The journey has been tough. We have had ups and downs. There were games we played badly and there were games we played really well. Things have fallen on the right track and now we are 100 in the world,” said Lyngdoh about the team’s progress.
“We have a lot to learn and this is a start. We have greater things ahead of us. We aim to be among the elite and I don’t see why we can’t be as we have the talent,” added the 30-year-old Shillong-born player.
Lyngdoh said that the Kyrgyzstan game is crucial in India’s efforts to qualify for the final of the 2019 Asian Cup.
“Kyrgyzstan are one of the biggest sides in the group. Getting three points against them is very vital for our qualification chances,” he pointed out.
Press Trust of India
