We want to prove our worth and play the match with great intensity, says Aleksandar Ilic

The Lebanon head coach and captain addressed the media ahead of the SAFF Championship 2023 semi-final against India.

The Lebanon national football team coach Aleksandar Ilic and captain Hassan Maatouk addressed the media in a press conference ahead of their highly anticipated semifinal match against India in the SAFF Championship.

The duo shared their insights on their opponents, their approach to the game, and expectations and acknowledged the challenges they would face.

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Confident ahead of a big test

When asked about their perception of the Indian team and the lessons learned from their previous encounters, Coach Ilic acknowledged the familiarity between both teams. He stated, "India and Lebanon know each other very well. We played two matches against India in the past month in the intercontinental cup. We are preparing as we usually do, striving to build the best team and make the best choices.

We want to prove our worth and play the match with great intensity." Emphasizing the weather conditions, he added, "The weather is becoming better now than the matches in this tournament before, and the last two games helped us build ourselves in a better way. This game is very important for us, and we hope to showcase the progress we've made."

Player Hassan Maatouk echoed the coach's sentiments, stating, "As the coach said, we know them very well, and we have prepared extensively for this game against India. We hope we can achieve a positive result."

Tackling India's dominance down the wings

Regarding India's dominant play down the wings, Coach Ilic acknowledged the danger they pose and the importance of keeping a positive mindset. He commented, "We know India is a very strong side, and their captain is very dangerous in the box.

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We are aware that attacks often come through the wings. We need to maintain a positive approach, and scoring the first goal will be crucial." However, he also highlighted his preference for attacking football, indicating that they would not adopt a purely defensive approach even if they scored first. He stated, "Scoring first doesn't mean the game is finished. I am a coach who likes attacking football."

Approach against India and adapting to circumstances

When asked about adapting their approach against India in this game, Coach Ilic highlighted the importance of utilizing the lessons learned from previous encounters. He expressed, "We will use everything we have learned in past games and adapt ourselves accordingly. There may be unpredictable circumstances, but we need to put up a strong fight. India has fought well in the last two games against us, and we respect them. However, we believe in our qualities and will face the game with strength."

India's Missing Players and Coach

Addressing the absence of key players and the coach on the Indian side, Coach Ilic stated, "India has some of the best players in each position, and they have replacements for the missing players. The absence of their coach on the sidelines might become a problem for them, and I believe the assistant coach will handle the game."

When questioned about the importance of having the coach on the sideline, Hassan Maatouk expressed the importance of the coach's presence on the sideline, mentioning that it provides valuable instructions to the players. He also acknowledged that India would find a solution to their coach's absence.

The Importance of the Tournament and Team Progression

Coach Ilic addressed the team's decrement in FIFA ranking and its impact on securing a place in Pot 2 for the AFC Asia Cup. He stated, "We did not come here to solely focus on our FIFA ranking. This tournament serves as a learning experience to understand our team's level and progress. While we are aware of the ranking situation, we will give our best regardless."

Lessons Learned and Scoring Goals

Reflecting on their performance in the tournament and the lessons learned, Coach Ilic mentioned their need to convert chances into goals. He stated, "We have identified some problems in our squad, particularly in converting the chances we create into goals. Improving in this aspect will result in better outcomes for the national team. We hope to create chances and convert them into a win against India."

Comparison with Other Teams and Fan Support

When asked if Lebanon's team played the best compared to other teams in the tournament, Coach Ilic highlighted the preparation required for such a challenging tournament. He mentioned the difficulties of being away from home for an extended period and praised his professional players for their hard work. He stated, "We believe in our qualities and hope to finish the tournament strong."

Finally, Coach Ilic acknowledged the support of Indian fans and saw it as motivation for his players. He stated, "Indian supporters are doing a great job supporting their team, but my players will take it as motivation. We will give our best in the next game, and the competition created between the teams will benefit both sides."

With the stage set for an intense semifinal clash between Lebanon and India, both teams are determined to leave their mark in the SAFF Championship and secure a spot in the finals. Football enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of this high-stakes encounter in Bengaluru on July 1.