CHARLES D’SOUZA
MARGAO
Former India captain Mauricio Afonso hopes for an optimistic build-up to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as the national team is “heading in the right direction” under the guidance of chief coach Stephen Constantine.
The former India assistant coach feels Constantine’s rotation policy is working well and the Blue Tigers have become more steady as a team. “In recent years, India have been consistent and have been fairly impressive, but we need to keep challenging ourselves,” Afonso said.
The former Dempo coach, while speaking to The Goan, observed that India should not get carried away with the triumph in the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai and the team should continue to work hard to perform well in the Asian Cup. “UAE, Thailand and Bahrain (which are in India’s group) are miles ahead of us and we have to put our heads down and keep working hard,” Afonso said.
The veteran coach thinks that playing more international matches would be a perfect build-up for the tournament taking place in the United Arab Emirates. “We need to get in as many games as possible as a unit in the build-up to the tournament. I am certain that the coach and the federation (the AIFF) have plans chalked out for how they want us to approach the Asian Cup.”
Afonso also credited Constantine for doing a “marvellous job” since taking over reins of the Indian national team. “Stephen Constantine has rekindled the passion and confidence in players and the Englishman has done a marvellous job,” Afonso said.
