INDIA LOOKS TO JUMP, AFTER THE LEAP !
Kolkata Leaks :-
There is a Saying in croatia -Prvo skoci Pa reci: Hop!- that can loosely translated as : first leap, then say 'Jump'.
India, under Igor stimac, has made the leap--by holding Asian champions Qatar in doha and raising expectations in the world Cup qualifiers. It's time the former Croatian world cupper told his players to 'jump' at the opportunity of marking a new beginning as they host Bangladesh in their next match at salt lake stadium on tuesday.
The odds- defying yet awe-inspiring goalless draw at the jassim bin hamad stadium last month has led to a sense of the optimism scarcely seen in indian football, and the bangladesh match represents a perfect opportunity for the hosts to ensure that the momentum is not lost in the post Doha hype and hoopla.
"In the first two games we were not favourites, But now the wholepressure is on us. Expectations and excitements around this match are only because of our fight against Qatar. we have somehow woken up everyone with our recent performances. Everyone is now aware that on our day, we can play against the best. This is why it's imperative that we win this game against Bangladesh so that we have a chance to keep dreaming," Stimac said on Monday.
Sunil Chhetri - the formidable constant in the team's tranxition from stephen constantine's counter attacking side to Stimac's young, attacking India - informed that they had a plan to upload some videos on social media platforms, urging the fans to throng the stadium. That plan was quickly shelved on learning that all tickets for tuesday's match - which marks the national team's return to the city after 2011 - have already been sold out, bringing to the fore the dreams and aspirations aroused by this team.
Bangladesh, no doubt, are planning to play party poopers. As captain jamal Bhuyan pointed out, india are the favourites. "The pressure is on them. we are looking to break hearts tomorrow. I am going to tell my boys to go there and give their best in front of such a massive crowd, " the copenhagen-born Bangladesh midfielder said.
Bangladesh will also go into the contest on the back of a creditable performance against Qatar and despite losing that match 0-2, their british coach Jamie day took heart from the team's fighting spirit.
With Bangladesh nuturing hopes of upsetting the 'Big Brother', India are aware that they have a job on hand. As they seek first win in three qualifiers, Stimac will be forced to rejig his defence following sandesh Jhingan's long injury lay-off. Anas Edathodike- who reversed his decision to hang up his India boots following a call from Stimac- Is likely to pair with Adil Khan. but it remains to be seen if Rahul Bheke gets a start.
Bangladesh coach maintained that he's yet to decide on his XI, but it's likely that the visitors will keep a tight leash on chhetri.
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