By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

BARASAT: AIFF XI Head Coach Goutam Ghosh said his Team was “looking forward” to the match against Frenz United, Indonesia in the Asia Champions Trophy 2014 which is slated to be held at the Barasat Stadium on Saturday (May 24). The kick-off is at 6.35pm and the match would be telecast live on DD Sports.

“This is a much-awaited match for the boys. It’s a Home-match for them and they are very excited,” he said.

At the same time, Ghosh’s rival counterpart, Enchang Ibrahim, Head Coach of Frenz United, Indonesia said they are aiming to “collect full points” from the encounter.

“We understand India are a very good side but that won’t deter us from going all out to collect full points,” he quipped. “We lost our first match against PVF Vietnam and want to win in Barasat,” he added.

Both the Coaches were speaking at the pre-Match Official Press Conference at the Stadium.

“We are not used to playing on artificial turfs,” Enchang informed. “Hence, we need to settle down fast,” he quipped. “I hope my Players will play to their potential on the morrow,” he pronounced.

Referring to AIFF XI’s first-match loss against Frenz United, Malaysia, A, Ghosh maintained that “wins are losses are very much part of the sport.”

“We did lose but returned back being richer in experience. We committed some mistakes in our first match and intend not to repeat them again,” he pronounced.

“We have had some sessions on the turf at Barasat. The boys are acclimatizing. It’s an important match as far as the Tournament is concerned,” he said. “It’s not relevant to speak about our game plan at the moment. For that, one will have to wait for the kick-off.”

AIFF XI is being represented by the U-16 National team of the Country.

Striker Krishna Pandit echoed that duty of the Team is to “follow the instructions” of the Coach.

“Frenz United, Indonesia are a strong opposition. We need to back each other up and execute the instructions,” Krishna who was a member of India’s triumph in the SAFF U-16 Championship stated.

Indonesian Captain Dody Al Fayed, lauded the “team spirit” of his Team.

“The spirit of our Team drives us forward. We always stick together and that’s our biggest strength,” he maintained.

“It’s a bit too hot in Kolkata,” Ibrahim smiled. “The weather back in our Country, I would say, is more pleasant,” he quipped.

Both the Teams had their practice session at the Stadium on the day.