WC Qualifier: India looks to repeat SAFF Cup final show against Afghans

On eve of ir FIFA World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in Dushanbe on Thursday, senior members of 'Blue Tigers' are preparing for a repeat of 2016 SAFF Cup final victory against ir old foes.

Sunil Chhetri on Afghanistan football team

"y are a respectable side and y are t same what y were a few years back. Some of Afghani players were playing abroad and it was a good memory. But I would reiterate that re won't be any connection to what is going to happen tomorrow," star striker Sunil Chhetri sounded cautious before match.

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"It was a good moment, of course, mainly because or teams generally look up to us as formidable team in SAFF region and everyone expects us to do well. Also, it was at our home. Ar important reason was that Afghanistan were playing ir last SAFF and y changed ir zone later. It was very important for us to do well,” he added.

“Jeje was outstanding in final. He scored first goal and had an assist too. It was very sweet," he recalled.

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As times have w changed, Chhetri believes that upcoming World Cup Qualifier will hold connection to past matches. "I think game was incredible. amount of support and love we got from Kerala throughout tournament was special. final was a match which I'll continue to cherish always," goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu said. However, it was t just SAFF win that made match special for India custodian. It was, in fact, first time that he would take to pitch in a home match.

"That was my first game at home for Blue Tigers. It was a difficult game and Afghanistan had some quality players who were, at that time, playing in foreign leagues but we mand to get a result. y will pose a tough challenge for us," he said. 

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Pritam Kotal recalls match against Afghans

Fullback Pritam Kotal recalled match and said that team was in a 'nascent st' and was, at that time, "growing from strength to strength. team was at a nascent st at that time and we were still learning toger. team was growing from strength to strength and that result played role of a catalyst. Beating Afghanistan in nail-biting final gave us much-needed confidence," he said.

"w, we are more matured and we have grown as a team in last four years. Given that we are going to face m away, we have to play intelligently and implement coach’s strategies on field. If we do that, we could come out with a positive outcome," Kotal furr said.

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