New Delhi: India coach Stephen Constantine is under no illusions as to the task in hand ahead of his side’s clash with Iran in the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers on Thursday.
India are currently bottom of Group D, four points behind fourth-placed Guam, and that is where they appear destined to finish with just two qualifiers remaining, although there remains a mathematical chance they could overtake Guam if positive results against both the Iranians and Turkmenistan next Tuesday are secured.
An already challenging situation, which nevertheless sees India still harbouring ambitions of qualifying for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, has not been helped by the players’ poor fitness levels when they reported for training on Sunday.
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“We have conducted some tests and the fitness levels are not very encouraging,” Constantine, who saw his charges lose 3-0 to India in September's reverse fixture, revealed.
“All I can say is that players need to be in better condition than they are. You need to sweat and run. Playing in Iran will get as difficult as it can get.
“They have a history of playing in the World Cup and are the giants of Asia, presently placed at 44 (in the FIFA world rankings).”
Constantine also claimed it was important that they do not focus too much on causing a real upset at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, and shoot themselves in the foot ahead of next week’s home clash against Turkmenistan.
“We will face a lot of difficulties against Iran,” the Englishman added.
“The concern also stays to stay away from injuries and yellow cards as we play Turkmenistan at home on the 29th and aim to make the most of it.
“I may have to juggle a few things around.”
India have qualified for the AFC Asian Cup on three previous occasions, with their best display coming in 1964 when they finished as runners-up behind Israel.
Source: the-afc.com