We are not here to lose: Constantine

Constantine, who coached Rwanda, helping them attain their highest ever FIFA ranking, said his focus is to build a team for the future. The coach said Oman has some good players in their side and their result against Iran didn’t come as a surprise to him.

Indian coach Stephen Constantine is confident about his team's showing against Oman.

A day prior to the India’s match against Oman in the 2018 World Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification round, India’s head coach Stephen Constantine said that his team is ready for a ‘tough match’.

Oman, who is on the same draw as India and Iran, played impressively to draw against the latter, last week. “We have respect for Oman but we are here to play and we will fight. We didn’t come here to lose,” Constantine told the reporters in Muscat.

The coach said Oman has some good players in their side and their result against Iran didn’t come as a surprise to him. He wasn’t willing to reflect much on the 24-hour delay in reaching Muscat from Ashgabat. “It’s not the best preparation as we go into the match, but again, it is what it is,” he said about the delay.

Constantine, who coached Rwanda, helping them attain their highest ever FIFA ranking, said his focus is to build a team for the future. “I have been here for seven games and am trying to build a team for the next five years and it was necessary to induce new blood [into the team],” said the Englishman.

Constantine said the desire of representing their country motivates the players. “Friends and your families watch you when you play for the National Team. The desire of representing your Country is always there,” he said.