AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Even as you spot locals in Guwahati without any pullovers, maybe out of habit, you prefer to keep it on. After some time, you realize you can pull it off, but maybe, just out of habit, you still prefer to keep it on.

At the afternoon practice session, the boys out of habit do all the right things with the ball. Come Saturday (February 13), they need to pull all of that together to pull it off against Bangladesh in the semifinal.

Looking back at the two matches played so far, Head Coach Lee Johnson informs the boys approached the game against Maldives with “great attitude.”

“We worked hard for the entire 90 minutes which was pleasing. The defensive front at times looked disorganized in the first half but we were able to rectify it in the 2^nd half,” he informs.

“We all have to defend together. They have some quick Players,” he adds.

‘How do you rate Bangladesh?’

Johnson quips: “They are there to win. Their Central holding Midfielder caught our eye. He looks to have a control over everything. He is the danger man.”

“That apart, they have some other Players who are quick. We need to stay focused all throughout. If we can maintain our concentration, we have a chance,” he states, only to reiterate: “Only if we are able to maintain our concentration.”

“Ideally we need to be more solid as a Team.”

“You can never underestimate any opponent. It’s a new game every day. We need to make sure that we approach it in a professional manner if we are to qualify for the final.”

India made it to the semifinals as the second-placed Team from the Group having lost one and won the other match.

The smog cover over Guwahati stays all throughout. As the U-23 Team practiced in the afternoon, the onlookers grow with every passing minute.

“It will be nice to play at the Stadium. If we get a crowd and they get behind the Team, it will suit our Players more,” Johnson maintains.

The Team news stay that Striker Sumeet Passi stays suspended for the semifinal, courtesy a double booking.

“We haven’t yet decided on our final XI,” Johnson informs as journalists ask him over his starting lineup.

“Everyone needs to be 100 percent fit. The boys have hardly practiced together. They look fit but not all are match fit. In International Football, it makes a huge difference. Just being mere fit won’t help you to pull it off.”

The kick-off in Guwahati on Saturday (February 13) is slated for 2pm. And it’s not just one match – the Women’s Team also face Bangladesh in a ‘do or die’ encounter in Shillong, the kick-off of which is at 4pm (February 13).