‘Thailand friendly perfect ahead of Asian Cup qualifier’

Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam believes that the friendly game against Thailand on June 4 will be the perfect way to groom for the all-important clash with Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers final round match against Hong Kong

HYDERABAD: Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam believes that the friendly game against Thailand on June 4 will be the perfect way to groom for the all-important clash with Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers final round match against Hong Kong on June 10 in Kowloon.

India’s Group C in the Asia Cup qualifiers included Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh, against whom the Blue Tigers drew 0-0 on the first match day. Only the group winner will book their place in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

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“If you ask any player or staff, the long-term goal is to qualify for the Asian Cup, but we have to take it game by game. For now, we are only focusing on Hong Kong. The fans are always behind us. Just be with us through thick and thin,” Wangjam informed aiff.media.

“Hong Kong is in good form, but we will be just focusing on ourselves. We have been analysing our opponents and we’ll stick to our plan and see what happens when we go out and play against them,” said Wangjam.

“The good thing is that we will be playing a friendly against Thailand, who are a similar opponent, in my opinion,” said Suresh.

“We got 15 to 20 days of break after the domestic season, and we started our camp on the 18th of this month. We’re getting into form day by day, and it’s very important to play an international friendly match before Hong Kong. So, it will be a very good test for us and we will know where we are.”

With 33 caps to his name so far, that remains Wangjam’s biggest win in India’s blue so far. But the 24-year-old recalled that despite what the scoreline suggested, it wasn’t an easy game at all.