India will put up improved performance against Japan: Coach

Bangalore, Oct 3 (UNI) Despite losing four matches in a row and playing a dead rubber, Indian football coach Robert Douglas Houghton is confident that his team will put up an improved performance against Japan in the Asian Cup qualifiers, to be held here on October eleven.

''This is a talented team with a sprinkle of very good players.

They have done well despite the limited facilities they could get.

This game will be interesting because we will know how far we have improved our standards. Japan has played in the World Cup three times, while our performance in this tournament has not been that good. But still I expect a lot from this match because the more we play, the better we become. We cannot languish in the 27th position in this continent any more,'' he said.

Speaking to newspersons after a strenuous practice session in the camp, being held in preparation for the Japan tie, Robert said that though the country went down 7-1 in the last match against Saudi Arabia, the boys played well in the first half. ''The boys remained competitive in the first half and their performance was heartening.

However, they capitulated in the latter half.'' Defending the ten-day camp in progress for the oncoming tie, he said it was not important whether the team was in contention for the final or played a tournament which was already decided. ''For India to improve its performance, it needs to play as many matches as possible. The players play for their clubs in the national league for nine months and for only three months they come together to play for the nation. Every match they play together as the national team is important,'' he said.

The coach said losing too many games would demoralise the players and affect their psyche. The best way to improve was to start winning even if it came in long gaps, he added.

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