The hosts bounced back after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Atletico de Kolkata in the inaugural match and coach Peter Reid said he was pleased with the way the team had performed.
“The last result was terrific and we want to carry on that form. Delighted to score five goals and even more delighted to keep a clean sheet because if you keep a clean sheet, you don’t lose football matches,” Reid told reporters on the eve of the match.
“It is going to be hard though on Friday. I know their coach Ricki Herbert. I’ve managed against him when he was the New Zealand coach and I was with Thailand. It will be difficult, but we are looking forward to it and we hope to replicate our passing from the last game and hopefully get another positive result,” he added.
Reid had played an attacking formation in both the games and he is likely to adopt a similar aggressive approach in the next home encounter.
“I want to go out there and be as solid as we were against Pune. If we get it right with the attacking players we’ve got, we can give anyone a game.”
In the previous game, Brazilian Andre Moritz had starred with a hat-trick and penetrated the opponent’s defense with ease along with Indian striker Subash Singh.
It will be interesting to see whom they field tomorrow as the team will be spoilt for choice with the injured players Freddie Ljungberg and Syed Nabi regaining fitness.
“Ljunberg is 100 per cent fit to start. So I’ve got a problem. I’ve got an even better problem in the game as Nicolas Anelka can start (after serving the three match ban). I don’t mind having such problems,” he said.
“All the players that came in for the previous game, did well. I am delighted with the competition for places. Subash played excellently up front, he worked really hard. We all saw how good Andre Moritz is. Peter Costa, the right back did a terrific job,” Reid said.
Skipper Syed Rahim Nabi, who injured his ankle in the opening game had missed the first home game and Reid said he is fit.
Source: Assam Tribune
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