Hope India are not embarrassed in Asian Cup, says Constantine

NEW DELHI - Former India football coach Stephen Constantine hopes the world No.142 are not embarrassed by the big teams like Australia, South Korea and Bahrain in the Asian Cup.

Constantine, who led India to their famous LG Cup victory in Vietnam in 2002, said it would be tough for India to qualify for the next stage from Group C, where they are clubbed with two World Cup teams.

“I would like to say that they are going to do well, but looking at the group they are in (Group C along with Australia, Bahrain and South Korea) it is going to be a very difficult task for them. I only hope that they don’t get embarrassed,” he said.

Constantine advised the Indian team not to play a defensive game as they have nothing to lose.

“They will have to work very, very hard to close down their opponents and not sit back and try and defend for 90 minutes as that would, I feel, be a major mistake,” Constantine was quoted as saying by ESPNStar.com.

“India have nothing to lose, in as much as nobody expects them to qualify for the quarter-finals. So, if they can show some spirit and go down with a fight, that would be a real plus,” he added.

“They must fight for everything until the final whistle, keep their concentration, avoid silly mistakes and work together. They have been together for a long time so there is a great team spirit and a will to succeed. India must also ensure that if they go a goal down they continue to work,” Constantine said.