In hostile territory

Abu Dhabi, January 9 

Stressing that the game is not played on paper, chief coach Stephen Constantine on Wednesday said that India would fight “toe-to-toe” with hosts United Arab Emirates in their AFC Asian Cup pool match on Thursday.

India started their Asian Cup campaign in stunning fashion, thrashing Thailand 4-1. But UAE will be India’s hardest test in Pool A. “We know all the three games are going to be very tough. There will be no easy game at this level. But we’ll go toe-to-toe with them. A game is not played on paper, but on the pitch,” Constantine said.

World No. 79 UAE are the highest-ranked side in the pool. The hosts were held by Bahrain in their opening match and, in front of their home crowd, they will be eager to make amends.

“What we lacked on the pitch was the fighting qualities from the players. Against India, we’ll come with a different attitude,” UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni said.

But Constantine felt after the draw, UAE would be under extra pressure to win.

“UAE are the hosts and will be under pressure. It’s understandable they will go for all three points,” Constantine said. “They are a physical side but also very skilful. I am not worried about our fitness. We have to play our best game to get the result.”

UAE have beaten India eight times out of 13 matches. India have won thrice. The last encounter between the two sides, which took place in New Delhi in 2011, had ended in a 2-2 draw.

Reflecting on the match against Thailand, Constantine said: “Against Thailand, we gave the ball away too many times. We have to look after the ball better. I feel we were nervous in the beginning. Some young boys were too eager to press. We can’t repeat these mistakes against UAE,” he said. — Agencies