Ashique Kuruniyan: Stephen Constantine is the best coach I have worked for
With thousands of Indian in UAE set to cheer for India at AFC
Asian Cup, 21-year-old Kerala-born winger Ashique Kuruniyan already feels like
a blessed soul.
The last two years have been an amazing ride
for the Malappuram native. The Pune City winger put in impressive shifts in the
2017-18 Indian Super League and was rewarded with a call-up to the Indian
national team ahead of the Intercontinental Cup and less than 10 months later,
Ashique found himself in a flight to Abu Dhabi.
Stephen Constantine believes India can spring a surprise at the Asian Cup
"AFC Asian Cup is going to be the biggest tournament of my life. I am happy to be part of an Indian squad that is qualifying for the finals after a long gap. I never thought I would be here. I am lucky to be with the national team," Ashique Kuruniyan
Stephen Constantine believes India can spring a surprise at the Asian Cup
"AFC Asian Cup is going to be the biggest tournament of my life. I am happy to be part of an Indian squad that is qualifying for the finals after a long gap. I never thought I would be here. I am lucky to be with the national team," Ashique Kuruniyan
The Indian international is pleased with his progress with
the national team under Stephen Constantine and showered glowing praise on the
Briton for his work with the Indian squad.
"The preparation of the team is good. We
will also improve individually. Stephen Constantine is the best coach I have
worked for. He knows the qualities of the Indian players. He knows what the
Indian players have done and what they can do. He knows the right players who
can fit into his system.
"I have been able to learn a lot of new
things from him since joining the national team camp. If there are mistakes in
my game, he has told me about those and explained what he needs from me for his
game."
Ashique, who used to play as an out-and-out winger,
dropped deep to play the wing-back position on the left flank for Pune City in
the ongoing season on occasions. The added defensive responsibility isn't a
concern for the player, especially weighed against the fact that he has
featured regularly in the first team for the Stallions.
"Playing as a wing-back and a winger is
similar in a lot of ways. I have to attack and also defend. It is normal. I was
able to play a lot of games this season. I have played all 12 games for Pune
City.
"But we cannot compare ISL and Asian Cup,
they are at different levels. Playing with national team is a different level
and the opponents are also going to be at a different level. The (games) will
be faster."
India are in Group A with Thailand, Bahrain and UAE, all of
whom are in good form ahead of the Asian Cup. However, Ashique feels India's
focus should be on giving their best on the field.
"We're not thinking about other teams at the moment. We are thinking about improving ourselves. The coach and the players are trying to improve the team game. We will try to play our game well."
One major criticism of India's preparation ahead of the Asian Cup has
been the lack of preparatory friendlies in the months leading up to the
tournament. The Blue Tigers held China to a goalless draw in October, lost to
Jordan 1-2 in November and drew 0-0 again to Oman in a closed door friendly
last week."We're not thinking about other teams at the moment. We are thinking about improving ourselves. The coach and the players are trying to improve the team game. We will try to play our game well."
"I am satisfied with the preparation, the coach is training the team well. They have tried well to get us prepared," Ashique signed off.
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