Gouramangi Singh believes that the yardstick for India’s progress in the last two years shall be how they fare against Lebanon, whom they lost to in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers over the two legs...
India had gone down 4-1 in the away leg while held Lebanon to a 2-2 draw in Goa back in 2007. Now, the AFC Challenge Cup winners face the same opposition after two years.
“At the end of the 90 minutes, we shall see how much gap has been closed by us in the last two years. We will become aware as to how much we have progressed as a team,” said Gouramangi Singh.
The best I-League defender wants to dwell only on the positives from the last time the two sides met on the international stage.
“In the away game, we lost and there’s no point discussing that. The second game in Goa, I think we did OK and could even have won. We drew the game 2-2, and we must take a few cues from that game,” said the tall defender.
Having established himself in the national set-up since the last Nehru Cup, where he made the most of the opportunity provided after Deepak Mandal suffered a horrendous injury, Gouramangi has improved with each season but he chooses to remain humble amongst all the accolades coming his way.
“We have spent close to two months together. The best part is that all the boys are so humble and approachable which makes gelling with everyone so easy. I feel this is an essential to have in every team,” explains Gouramangi.
The Manipuri has a message for all the fans in India and like every Indian, he too has urged everyone to come in numbers and support the national side.
“The Nehru Cup starts and it’s a new job to do. The preparations have gone well and hence, we hope for the best. I expect my fellow Indians to support and give us the drive to progress further,” said the north eastern star.
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