India coach Wim Koeverman was understandably disappointed with his team’s goalless draw against Nepal but said they are still in the race to reach the final of the Nehru Cup football tournament.
The tournament is still open but if Maldives beat a formidable Cameroon on Wednesday, it can spell trouble for India.
“I expected my team to do better in the first half. Nepal played better in the first half, probably because there was more pressure on us,” Koevermans said. “We defended well with everything we had. In the second half we had two big chances -- one from Robin Singh and the other from Jewel (Raja). Jewel was a very good substitution. But the Nepal goalkeeper did well to block them.”
The Dutchman admitted the water-soaked field made it hard to play. “The conditions suited Nepal better. Anything can happen on this surface. But that’s the way it is for both teams.
But I am disappointed by the result and the pitch,” he said. “We have to cope with pressure. We are still in the race to make the final. We will bring the substitutes where we think we can make improvements.”
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