CALCUTTA (India): India’s top goal-getter Sunil Chhetri said that India is not looking at a revenge when they take on reigning Gulf Cup champions Oman in the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat (Oman) here on Tuesday.
“We won’t think about revenge or anything closer to that, absolutely not. At the end of the day, the points matter. It’s not a derby as they are not our neighbours,” Chhetri told AIFF website.
Oman had defeated India 2-1 away in Guwahati during their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers in September.
“These are the qualifiers. We want to go out and give everything. The important point is to go and play well, especially in the away matches,” added Chhetri.
In the home leg, Chhetri scored India’s only goal which could have earned the Blue Tigers their first win, but Oman striker Al Mandhar Al Alawi scored back-to-back goals to dent India’s dream.
Both the teams have played four times in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, with the hosts winning thrice while the other one had been a draw.
Al Mandhar has scored four goals in as many in the qualifiers, but Pritam Kotal the team will play confidently.
“It’s not only Al Mandhar, other attackers like Al Alwai, Al Ghassani can impose danger to the back-line. They are quick and can switch positions fast. We have to be extra cautious,” said Kotal.
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had a great game against Asian champions Qatar in their goalless draw in September, said that staying unbeaten on the road is the priority now.
“Oman is a difficult opponent. Not losing a game away from home is our priority. It’s always difficult playing away from home,” said Sandhu.
