3rd-place finish for India in Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers well deserved: HFC coach
Sun, Jun 27 2021 02:41:55 PM
Hyderabad, Jun 27 (IANS): Indian Super League (ISL) side Hyderabad FC's (HFC) Spanish head coach Manuel Marquez is all praise for the Indian national football team after its performance in the combined FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers in Doha earlier this month.
Following their 0-1 loss to Asian champions Qatar, the Sunil Chhetri-led India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 before drawing Afghanistan to advance to the Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers final round.
The 52-year-old Marquez, whose contract with Hyderabad FC was extended by two years in February this year, said, "I watched the (India) games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan (earlier this month) and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the performances of the Indian youngsters. The game against Qatar was also a real test. India's aim was to finish as high as possible in the group and I believe that the third-place finish was pretty well deserved."