AIFF Media Team

GUWAHATI: Ahead of India’s 2^nd leg clash against Laos in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup UAE Qualifiers, which is slated to kick-off at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam tomorrow (June 7), Head Coach of the Laos National Team, Valkaone Pomphakdy dubbed the Indian National Team as, “a good side with a lot of potential.”

Speaking at the Official Pre-Match Press Conference, Pomphakdy was all praise for the ‘Men in Blue’.

“They (India) are a good technical side and they stretched us to our limits in the 1^st leg of the fixture. Had they been clinical they could have scored more against us,” he said.

Although India were the dominant side in the 1^st leg of the tie, Constantine’s boys could lodge only one goal on the scoreboard, courtesy of Jeje’s 56^th minute strike. Had India taken their chances, the 2^nd leg would have been a mere formality.

Pomphakdy agrees and adds: “Their forward line was regularly troubling our defence line. We are lucky not to concede more than one goal in the first leg.”

However, Pomphakdy believes that there is no pressure on his side going into the 2^nd leg despite India having a one goal advantage. “We will play with a free mind and I have told my Players that there is no pressure on them. They (the Players) should enjoy their Football”

“India are the favourites to win this tie and the pressure will be on them as they are playing at home. We have nothing to lose,” he added.