
India will be hoping for victory against Thailand in their Group E Olympic qualifying football match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday. If India have to have any chance of playing in the quarter finals of the qualifying round, they have to win at least two out of the remaining five matches two against Thailand, two against DPR Korea and one against Iraq. And to do that India will have to improve their game by leaps and bounds.
A victory tomorrow against Thailand, who lost narrowly to DPR Korea 0-1 recently, will be a huge boost to India8217;s chances. India have entered the second stage of the qualifiers after a long gap of 12 years and if they can exploit the home advantage it can do wonders for the hosts who have a good chance of beating the visitors.
8220;Our team is a young one with the average age being 20 and the current squad should form the future of the Thailand team.
8220;We had a close game against DPR Korea. We fought hard but were unlucky to lose,8221; Thailand chief coach Prapol Pongpanich says.
8220;India is a strong side. We8217;ll try to win tomorrow,8221; the coach further added.
8220;A few players in the Indian side are good. They have home advantage and I hope it8217;ll be an interesting match,8221; said Thai skipper Prat Samakrat.
India8217;s current coach Colin Toal sounded optimistic: 8220;India have been improving and hope they8217;ll put up a good show tomorrow. We will give our best,8221; said Toal after India8217;s practice session.
Indian captain NS Manju hoped India will overcome their shortcomings: 8220;We played well in the first half against Iraq, but made a few mistakes in the second half.
8220;We are trying to rectify our mistakes and hope to play well on Wednesday.8221;