Jump in FIFA rankings no fluke, insists goalkeeper Paul

PTI
MACAU

India are bracing up to face Macau in a crucial 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on September 5 and, under Stephen Constantine, seem confident of getting the work done. India have won nine international matches, including an unofficial game against Bhutan, on the trot.
"He (Constantine) has been in charge for almost 30 months now and if you look back at the journey, as far as FIFA rankings are concerned he has delivered what no other coach in India has been able to achieve so far. No coach has been able to make us win nine on the trot; no coach has been able to take us from 173 to 96 in the FIFA rankings. And none happened by fluke," Paul said.
Praising the chief coach, who is in his second stint with the team, Paul said Constantine is leading a revolution. "You can never win nine at a stretch by fluke, you can never jump 77 places in FIFA rankings by fluke. We have achieved all of that under Constantine. Even as I need to mention the efforts put in by all the support staff, the coach will always get the lion's share of the credit, and rightly.
"Moreover, he has debuted 35 youngsters so far, many of whom will hold the fort for the national team for the next few years. In that sense, he has already created the supply line. He has brought in a revolution, a total change in Indian football," Paul said.
"The Indian national squad has always been a talented one. But this time we have a much younger squad, the average age is much lesser. Given the fact that the nucleus of the squad has been with coach Constantine for the last two and half years (since March 2015 when he took over the team in his second stint), the coach has been able to instil a sense of self belief and prepare them mentally and physically to deliver what he wants them to.
"I would say mentally the present squad is very strong, the work rate is very high and the fighting spirit stays very distinct. We never give up till the final whistle."
Talking about the challenge ahead, Paul said: "We are unbeaten in the last 10 matches, having won nine of them (including the unofficial match against Bhutan). The boys are confident and the body language is very positive."