Muscat, July 2 (IANS) India midfielder Lalrindika Ralte said in Tuesday’s do-or-die match against hosts Oman in the AFC U-22 Championship qualifier even giving 100 percent may not yield a favourable result.
“In such a match, your hundred percent may not yield a favourable result and you always need to pump into something extra. You have a look at our families and you’ll see we don’t get to be with them more than 10-15 days in a year. So we ought to make this sacrifice count,” said Dika, as he if commonly known.
Asked about the team’s performance in the qualifying event, Dika said: “Prior to coming here, this was the ‘Group of Death.’ But we still have a chance and are alive and ticking. That explains it all. We have been taught to be compact on the field and we stick to the instructions. Most importantly, your style of play has to be adjusted to what your team needs from you and not what you want to play as an individual. That stays the key.”
Dika said the team is a united lot and that makes it special.
“Everyone is ready to support each other. Players who are not playing on a day are involved in the match as much as those who are sitting on the bench. The team spirit makes this an unique bunch,” he said.
Dika also had words of praise for coach Arthur Papas.
“I need to mention Arthur (Papas) has played a major hand in this. He has made all of us aware of our responsibilities both on and off the field,” he said.
