Considering that Bob Houghton views the Indian team as a work in progress, the solitary goal defeat to higher ranked Hong Kong on Monday is a reality check on preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup where opponents like Australia lie in wait.
“Hong Kong kept going. We attacked in the first half but they kept going, their passing was good,” said the Indian national coach.
Answering questions about the home team's difficulty in matching the visitors control over the midfield, Houghton pointed out that Hong Kong had more players in that zone, five to six operating in the midfield sometimes. “That is how they play. We use the 4-4-2 formation which I feel works best for us. We can't play their way and have to learn to win matches playing our way.”
Houghton pointed out that the team just has to just move on. India plays Vietnam and Yemen next in international friendlies.
“Vietnam and Yemen are better teams compared to Hong Kong. Vietnam has beaten Thailand. Yemen lost to Kuwait on penalties.”
With Indian shaping up for challenge from world-class squads like Australia at the Asian Cup next year, he was asked if assessing ourselves against lesser Asian sides made any sense.
The Indian coach replied: “There is no point playing Australia now. My plan is to build up so that we reach a certain level by the time Asian Cup approaches.”
