JOIN US'Keen to do well in Asiad'
Indian men’s football coach Wim Koevermans said their main objective for the upcoming Asian Games was to go deep into the competition.
“Our focus in the tournament is to go and win it,” he said. “It might not happen but we are not thinking like that, we try to get as far as possible.”
Koevermans, who has been put in charge of the Asian Games side, arrived in the city on Tuesday and was speaking to reporters as the preparatory camp for the Games began in full swing here at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday.
Asked how he was feeling about taking part in the Asian Games, the Dutch coach put it in perspective. “I have never been to the Asian Games but it is the Olympic Games of Asia, that’s how big it is.
“There is still a long way to go but I’m happy to be in this situation – I can have the boys for quite sometime and work with them for close to two-and-a-half months.”
He also revealed that the team would be going to both Czech Republic as well as China on exposure trips. “We have finalised a two-week trip to Czech Republic and hope to play about three matches against some of the teams who are based there. After that we will probably be visiting China where we hope to play a couple of games against league sides.”
While most of the side is filled with the under-23 players, Sunil Chhetri will lead the side.
When asked the effect of Chhetri’s presence, Koevermans pointed to his goal-scoring prowess. “We need people who can score goals. Both Sunil and Robin (Singh) score a lot of goals. So, I’m very happy with them and especially with the captain of the national team, that is a big example for the young boys.”
The Asian Games will be held in Incheon in South Korea from September 19.