For Lallianzuala Chhangte, India’s upcoming encounters against Brazil and Uruguay are less about the daunting reputation of the opposition and more about embracing a rare opportunity to test themselves against the best.
With Brazil, Uruguay and Panama set to face India on home soil, the Mohun Bagan forward believes the fixtures will push the Indian team physically and mentally while giving the players a chance to discover where they stand against top-level opposition.
“From a player’s point of view, it’s a huge opportunity to play against some of the best countries in the world. This will test our limits and show us how good we really are. We will be tested physically and mentally,” Chhangte said.
The 27-year-old, one of India’s leading attacking players, does not want the occasion to overwhelm the team. Instead, he wants the players to savour every moment of what promises to be an unforgettable series.
“I think we just have to enjoy the game. We don’t have to think about what could happen or the results. Forget about that. We just have to enjoy the moments that we have playing against these countries,” he said.
That approach, however, does not mean India will lack ambition. Chhangte insisted that the players will compete for victory while making the most of the experience.
“Of course, we would love to win. We will give our best; that’s guaranteed. But whatever happens, we just have to enjoy the game,” he added.
India’s first assignment will be against 44th-ranked Panama at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium on September 26.
A week later, the stakes will rise considerably when five-time world champions Brazil arrive at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3. India will remain in Kolkata for their next major test, against two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6.
For Indian football, matches against Brazil and Uruguay represent a rare opportunity to compete against teams with a rich history at the highest level of the international game.
For Chhangte, the message is simple: embrace the occasion, compete without fear and enjoy every minute of it.
(Inputs from AIFF)
