India would try to better 2002

Kolkata, Oct 27 (UNI) Junior team coach Islam Akhmedov today said that India would at least try to emulate the feat of reaching the quarter final stage as they did in 2002 edition of the AFC youth championship.

While taking the players through the paces under the flood lights at the Salt Lake stadium here, Mr Akhmedov said ''I am taking one match at a time. All the three teams are important to me.'' India plays Kyrgystan, Jordan and Korea Republic in Group A of the AFC youth championship that commencs on Sunday.

Asked how he rated the Central Asian team of Kyrgystan, he said they are a very good side and each match will be a tough one.

Asked what was his expectation from the tournment, he said ''We would at least try to repeat our feat of 2002 of reachimn the quarterfinal of the same tournament when we were eventually defeated by Korea Republic 2-0.'' Asked to compare the two sides, he said ''this is a much better and well knit-unit and have been staying and practising together for sometime now. There is a sense of understanding and an urgency to win.'' Asked if there would be a pressure of being the host country, he said ''it is natural to have a little pressure but we think we can cope with it.'' India team opens the tournament against Kyrgistan at 7 p m under flood light on Sunday evening.

UNI BA KK DH BS1952