As India prepare themselves to host Puerto Rico at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday, head coach Stephen Constantine has been marshalling his troops in training in the hope of a positive outcome. Injury-free and close to full strength, the Blue Tigers will be looking to pull off a massive upset as they look to throw a spanner in the works of the 114th-ranked nation from the CONCACAF region.The game is expected to draw a huge crowd as international football returns to the city of Mumbai after more than a six-decade long wait. It will also be one of the rare occasions where India go up against a side ranked higher than them in the FIFA rankings. On the eve of the match, indiansuperleague.com caught up with India’s all-time top scorer Sunil Chhetri (Mumbai City FC) and playmaker Eugeneson Lyngdoh (FC Pune City) for their thoughts on the game.Both Chhetri and Lyngdoh opened up about the excitement and enthusiasm amongst the players in the build-up to Saturday’s game. “I am really excited. It’s strange that in my career with the national team I haven’t ever played in Mumbai. Knowing the fact that there are a lot of football loving people here, we are looking forward to playing here. We hope for great support from the stands,” said Chhetri.While Lyngdoh added: “We are very excited that we are going to play in Mumbai, that too a team of high calibre.”India are currently ranked 152nd in the FIFA rankings, 38 places below their opponents. But when asked about the dressing room spirit, Chhetri made it clear that it is brimming with positivity and excitement.“It’s very positive. It’s not that we play international friendlies every day so whenever we get one the entire squad stays excited. I am happy that we are carrying no injuries and everyone is available for selection for the match,” said Chhetri.Lyngdoh further commented on how everyone wants to make an impression on the game. “Everyone looks fresh and eager to play this game. Everyone wants to make a mark,” he said.Chhetri also stressed the importance of making the most of tomorrow’s game since it will, in all probability, be the Blue Tigers’ last game of the year.“We have to play in the formation which the coach wants us to play. We understand the objective and knowing the fact that we are not playing games [international] in the near future, we need to make the most of it. We are playing at home and I don’t see why we shouldn’t be positive. When you play for the national team, giving 70 or 80 percent doesn’t guarantee anything. You always need to give your 100 percent,” he said.Lyngdoh, on the other hand, believes that a positive result is very much on the cards as long as the players put Constantine’s ideas into practice. “The objective is to go out there and execute the instructions given by the coach. We need to play collectively to get a positive result. Personally, I want to do what I can do and ensure that we play well,” he opined.Chhetri also pointed out the need to focus on their own game rather than being overly cautious about the opponents. “We haven’t seen much of them. We will have our video sessions soon. The gaffer will give us as much information as possible. It’s more important how we play as per our style,” he said.Lyngdoh, meanwhile, believes that Puerto Rico can’t be taken lightly. “I don’t know much about them. But their team is ranked much higher than us. We have to take them very seriously.”Both Chhetri and Lyngdoh were also effusive in praise of head coach Constantine. “Stephen is a great motivator. He is someone who works very hard and is very knowledgeable. But we all need to combine on the field and support him,” said Chhetri.Lyngdoh added: “He is doing his best to get the right set of players who can perform and implement the tactics he wants us to play. He is motivating the team and the mood is very light. He is ensuring that the players can go out and play with an open mind.”When asked if a win was on against Puerto Rico tomorrow, Chhetri responded saying ‘definitely’, whereas Lyngdoh was a little reserved. “If we work hard as a unit, anything is possible,” he concluded.
