AFC Asian Cup will be a good test for India: Defender Pritam Kotal

Indian defender Pritam Kotal reckons AFC Asian Cup will be a good test for the national team. India will look to be at their absolute best in the upcoming tournament and deliver the goods in the competition.

However, there is no denying the fact that the Blue Tigers will have their work cut out as they have been drawn in a tough group. Igor Stimac’s team are drawn with teams like Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in Group B, and the tournament will take place in Qatar.

Kotal admitted that the team wasn’t expecting any easy games in the AFC Asian Cup and they will look to be at their best.

“This is definitely a tough group. Even we thought something like this could happen when we were discussing the draw. We were in pot four and in general, pots one, two and three consist of good teams,” Kotal told republicworld.com in an interview.

The 29-year-old, who plays for ATK Mohun Bagan, added that facing teams like Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria will be a good acid test for them.

“It’s all right. Facing Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria would be a good test for us. We will try to give our best on the pitch and let’s see what happens. You never know, we might qualify for the next round. As players we are confident. I will tell everyone to support us and we will try our best for our nation,” he added.

Before playing in the AFC Asian Cup, the Sunil Chhetri-led team will take part in the Hero Intercontinental Cup in June where they take on Lebanon, Mongolia and Vanuatu in Bhubaneswar.

India will want to tick the right boxes against these three opponents and will want to keep their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup on the right track.