Cuttack: Orissa players are confident and positive ahead of their semifinal clash against West Bengal in the Junior Girls’ National Football Championships at the Orissa Police Ground here Tuesday. However, coach Gitanjali Khuntia has warned them against complacency.
“As hosts the pressure is on us, but I have told my wards to play normally game and not try anything extra,” Gitanjali stated Monday.
Both Gitanjali and captain Shanti Murmu are aware that the opposition cannot be taken lightly as Bengal boast of a very strong defence.
“Our strikers Jasoda Munda and Deepa Nayak are playing at a national-level tournament for the first time. So it is natural, that they will be a bit nervous. However, I am sure they will rise to the occasion,” Shanti said after a light training session Monday.
“They are talented players and I am sure they will fire with all cylinders in this crucial game,” she added.
Shanti is also happy that the semifinal will be played at the Orissa Police ground. “The surface there is less slushy than the Barabati Stadium, hence it will help in our free-flowing style of football,” she pointed out.
Orissa have so far played very well in the tournament winning all the five games en route to the final. However, Gitanjali does not want to concentrate on the past. “What is important is that we win tomorrow (Tuesday),” she stated. “I am trying to keep the players relaxed. The margin of victory doesn’t matter to me as long as we win the trophy,” the confident coach signed off.
Post News Network
