We Need Players Who Can Score: Coach Marquez on Chhetri’s Return
The Indian football team is gearing up for their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers opener against Bangladesh, and the return of their captain Sunil Chhetri has brought a welcome boost to the team’s morale. Chhetri, India’s all-time leading scorer, has come out of retirement to join the team for the qualifiers, and his presence is expected to make a significant difference in the team’s performance.
However, coach Manolo Marquez has emphasized that while Chhetri’s return is a positive development, it is not the only solution to India’s goal-scoring woes. In an interview with the Indian Express, Marquez said that the team needs players who can score goals consistently, regardless of whether Chhetri is on the pitch or not.
“We need players who can score goals,” Marquez stated. “At this moment, the most important thing is to get results.”
India have managed to score just two goals in their last four games under Marquez, which is a serious concern for the team. The team’s lack of goal-scoring prowess has been a major issue, and Marquez is well aware of the need to address this problem.
Marquez’s comments come at a time when India are facing a tough campaign in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The team is in Group D, which also includes Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Qatar. The stakes are high, and India will need to perform well if they are to progress to the next round.
The return of Chhetri is a significant boost to the team’s chances, but Marquez is not relying solely on the captain to get the goals. Chhetri’s experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly be valuable assets for the team, but Marquez is looking for other players to step up and take responsibility for scoring goals.
“We have players who can score goals, but they need to show it on the pitch,” Marquez said. “We need players who can take the responsibility of scoring goals and help the team win.”
Marquez has been working hard to improve the team’s goal-scoring record, and he has been experimenting with different formations and strategies to try and find a solution. The coach has also been focusing on improving the team’s finishing, and he believes that the players have the potential to score more goals.
“We have been working on our finishing, and I think we have improved a lot,” Marquez said. “But we need to be more clinical in front of goal. We need to take our chances and score more goals.”
The pressure is on India to perform well in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, and Marquez knows that the team needs to deliver. The coach has been working hard to prepare the team for the qualifiers, and he is confident that they have what it takes to progress to the next round.
“We are ready for the qualifiers,” Marquez said. “We have been preparing well, and I think we have a good team. We need to stay focused and give our best to get the results we want.”
In conclusion, while Chhetri’s return is a welcome boost to the team, Marquez is not relying solely on the captain to get the goals. The coach is looking for other players to step up and take responsibility for scoring goals, and he believes that the team has the potential to score more goals.
As India prepare to take on Bangladesh in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers opener, Marquez’s words of wisdom will be music to the ears of the team’s fans. The team needs to stay focused, work hard, and take their chances if they are to progress to the next round.
