AIFF Media Team

BANGALORE: National Coach Wim Koevermans admitted it was a “disappointing” performance from Indian U-23 Team against Pakistan in the second match of the Friendly Series at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday (August 20).

Referring to India’s 0-2 loss to Pakistan, Koevermans said: “It is a result we didn’t expect. We kept losing balls too easily. We just couldn’t build the momentum and instead of punishing them, got punished.”

Pakistan Coach Muhammad Shamlan Al-Mubarak lauded his boys for the performance. “It’s very easy for any Coach to stop India. You stop Sunil Chhetri and your job is done. We had a close look at India in the first match and were confident of winning the second match which we have done,” he uttered. “The boys executed everything to perfection.”

“It was a psychological battle and we were better prepared for it,” he added.

“My players can play better than this. This defeat is also a learning process for me as much it is for my boys,” Koevermans pronounced. “You need to take your chances that come your way. Unless you take them, you don’t get the desired result,” he concluded.