India look to salvage pride against Namibia

The coach also highlighted the fact that,over the years,the team had locked horns with newer teams and succeeded in putting up a good show. This,though,will be India’s first encounter against Namibia but Houghton is equally confident of his team. His only concern is the long list of injuries to key players. “Yes,it is a worry for us since some of our main players are nursing injuries. They have not recovered fully and are not match fit. But we will not risk them since our main aim is to be ready for Doha (hosting the Asian Cup in January 2011),” added Houghton.

With Mohammed Rafi — who made his international debut against Thailand in Bangkok — injured due to a rib fracture,Mumbai FC striker Abhishek Yadav will see himself coming into the attack along with Sunil Chetri.

Even though they appeared off target against Thailand,Houghton stressed that the Indian strikers were performing to his expectations but inconsistency was pushing them on the back foot. “Chetri is exceptional. I would have still gone with Rafi had he not been injured. But Abhishek Yadav is an experienced campaigner and has done well on the club circuit. Bhaichung Bhutia has to be brought in the second half,and he and Chetri form a superb combination in the strike line,” he said,making it clear that the Indian skipper would be playing,although he would be making a late entry and not be in the starting eleven.

Bhutia’s late entry in the last match changed the equation with his ball control and constant creation of scoring chances putting India in a strong position. While Chetri has taken over as the main striker for the team,Bhutia’s presence will be crucial in converting the half chances. Questions though remain over his fitness but Houghton said he was targetting Doha. “We are trying to see if we can send him in for more than 30 minutes but we don’t want to take chances. He is our main player and certainly the most experienced. I would want him to recover fully and at peak fitness by the year-end so that he can play at the Asian Cup,” Houghton said.

This would be the last friendly the team would play in the capital and Houghton will prefer going into the game with the same line up as before. With the Namibians — ranked 23 places above India in FIFA rankings — missing seven of their main players,the Indians are confident of pulling it off this time. Houghton said the team will play more matches against club sides of top Asian nations after the friendlies are over.