KOLKATA, India: Bangladesh assistant coach Stuart Watkiss said that his team will be way of India’s Sunil Chhetri when they take on their neighbours in their World Cup qualifier against India here on Tuesday.
Chhetri, who was laid low by viral fever and had to sit out of India’s gritty goalless draw against Asian champion Qatar in Doha last month, is all set to return in the Group E match.
Chhetri back in action
“Sunil is the most dangerous player because of the amount of goals he has scored. He’s a super player with a super goal-scoring record,” said Watkiss.
Chhetri scored his goal number 72 in India’s 1-2 loss to Oman last month in Guwahati.
“I’ve had coached Bharat FC in the ISL. I’m aware of Indian football. I hope my experience as an assistant coach will be of some special use,” said the 53-year-old.
Bangladesh has lost two of their previous matches
Bangladesh has come here on the back of a 0-2 loss to Qatar in Dhaka in its last match. It had lost 0-1 to Afghanistan in its campaign opener.
“I saw India’s match against Qatar. I they’re very strong. Five of their players are in their best forms. That’s a good sign. But we also know how to fight back. I think the fans will get to watch a good match.
“Kolkata and Bangladesh have meteorological and linguistic similarities. This is a very positive thing for our footballers,” added
Bangladesh will rely on Mamunul Islam and captain Jamal Bhuyan in the midfield with the team having eight Under-23 players.
“Our defensive shape is good. We are good on the counter. There are young players who can spring a surprise. We have been let down by our finishing a bit. We need to work on that,” said 30-year-old Mamunul.
