India coach Wim Koevermans said he was pleased with the quality of the visiting Pakistan side, which presented his side with the ideal preparation ahead of the Asian Games.
The host edged out Pakistan 1-0 in the first of two international football friendlies here on Sunday, a month prior to the start of the Asian Games.
“I’m quite happy with the competition provided by the Pakistan team.
“We expected to start better, but it was Pakistan which controlled possession early. But after the first 15 minutes, we gained control,” Koevermans said after the match.
Pakistan coach Mohammad Shamlan praised the hosts for conducting the match in a “fair manner”. “I want to thank everyone involved with the match. This is the first time I have seen an away team — a country or club — being treated in a fair manner,” he said.
Shamlan was less generous when asked to assess the Indian team, saying: “We last played India in the 2013 SAF Games, and they have not changed their approach at all. They still play (Sunil) Chhetri and Robin Singh up front, without finding solutions for the midfield and the wings.
“And as for the No. 9 (Robin Singh), he is a good player, but he does not have the right qualities for that position.
“The No. 9 should be intelligent, and should be able to control the important phases of a match.”
