Bangladesh will be looking forward to get their first point while India are eager to claim their first win in the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifiers, but the former’s goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms believes that the pressure will be on the higher-ranked Indians in front of their home crowd.
The two south Asian neighbors take on each other at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata Tuesday where more than 50,000 people are expected to watch the game of the two traditional rivals.
“The pressure is actually on India because they’re going to be playing in front of a big packed house. If India lose, it’s a big upset, so we are aware that they’ll be under a lot of pressure,” Mimms was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India Sunday.
“It’s a big motivation when you come to play in Kolkata knowing that it’s going to be a full house playing against India,” the British coach said before adding, “We all know how bravely we played against Qatar and we can cause India a problem. I think the pressure will be on India and not so much on us.”
India fought out a creditable draw away at Qatar in their last game while Bangladesh also put on a brave display against the Qataris, despite coming away with a 2-0 defeat at home Thursday, creating at least half a dozen chances against the Asian champion.
Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuiyan is confident of a positive display when they take on India in their third Group E match of the 2022 @FIFAWorldCup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifiers at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata Tuesday.https://t.co/XVy9TYqlHw#BFF #BANGLADESH
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 13, 2019
“We are hoping to maintain the same level of intensity as we showed against Qatar. If we can put up a good performance, the result will look after itself,” said the 55-year old, who was a part of Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League when the side clinched a historic title.
Star defender Sandesh Jhingan has been ruled out due to injury, along with Anwar Ali Jr but Mimms said the home side will still be a force to be reckoned with.
“We’re not taking India lightly despite the fact that they have got a couple of injuries. They have got other good players who play at a good level in India. No matter what 11 they put out it’s going to be a good team,” said Mimms.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana is likely to face attacking threats from the stronger opponent, especially veteran star striker Sunil Chhetri.
Mimms said, “We’ve just got to stick to our game plan and work at it and hopefully it will nullify all the threats.”
