Despite exit, Khalid Jamil urges India to sign off with a win against Hong Kong

The Blue Tigers will play at Kochi after 10 years.

The Indian National Football team is all set to lock horns against the Hong Kong National Football Team on the 31st of March 2026, as a part of their final round of the Group C fixtures of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The match is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi after a gap of ten years and will kick off at 7:00 PM.

India, who are out of the reckoning for a place in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, will aim to end their qualifying campaign with a win.

Despite it being a dead rubber in the context of the qualifiers, as Hong Kong have also been eliminated, the match still carries significance with FIFA ranking points on offer.

Ahead of the match, the Indian Football Team head coach Khalid Jamil, along with player Edmund Lalrindika addressed the media.

Here is a detailed report of the pre-match press conference of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match between India and Hong Kong.

Initial Thoughts

Before opening the floor for the media, head coach Khalid Jamil and player Edmund were asked to share their initial thoughts about the match.

Khalid said that even though the match was a dead rubber, they must not take this match lightly, while Edmund spoke words of optimism, assuring that the team is ready to fight for the match.

“Yes, it is very important for us. We must not take this match lightly, and we are ready for this game. We need your support, especially the fans and yes, we can continue,” – said Khalid Jamil

“Yeah, I think the team is preparing well. We trained here for a week, everyone is ready, we are ready to fight for a good result, and hopefully, with our fans behind, we can have a good result tomorrow” – Edmund spoke

How does Khalid approach tomorrow’s match?

India has scored just 2 points in their five matches in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers and is currently at the bottom of the Group C table.

Given these circumstances, Khalid Jamil was asked how the team was going to approach the game against Hong Kong, to which the gaffer replied that even though the team was out of the qualification race, they are looking forward to ending the campaign on a good note.

“Yes, as I said before, we should not think anything. This is an important match. We are out, but we have to finish with good note.”

Assessment of Hong Kong and strategy for the game

Khalid Jamil was asked about his assessment of the Hong Kong National Football team and his strategy for the match, to which he replied.

“Yes, there are players who have played and done well. They are a new team, I think they have a new coach, and they are using new players, and actually, we do not have more information about them. So we must think about our game.”

“Yes, depending on the situation of the game, we have to see (on the strategy). We have to finish with a good winning note.”

On playing at Kochi

The Blue Tigers are playing a match at Kochi after a wait of ten years. When asked about the feelings on playing at Kochi and whether more such international matches should be conducted regularly, Khalid Jamil and Edmund answered.

“Yes, till now we are very happy to be here. Kerala, it is very nice. Nice players, as you said, the support especially fans, come and support us and always it is happy to be here. All the players know the importance of this game” – said the gaffer

“It is a good feeling to play at home. Tomorrow also we play in Kerala, which is one of the home of football in India and I am really excited and I hope more of this happens in the future and let us hope for the best” – Edmund replied

On the lack of quality strikers

Ever since the retirement of Sunil Chhetri, the national team has had a lack of quality strikers. When asked has he found a quality striker in the current squad, he answered that he has to find a replacement with the available options right now and decide based on the situation.

“Yes, we have to build up. This is a known point. What you said, I am agreeing with it. We have to see who is available now. We have Rahim, we have Manvir, Edmund, Farooq is also there and also Williams. So we have to find the right player to play the position. Depending on the situation, we will decide.”

On Albino Gomes and Bijoy Varghese

When asked about Albino returning to the squad after a long gap and Bijoy getting a call up, the gaffer answered that the team selection was on the basis of the player’s performance in the ISL.

Anyone who has displayed a good performance in the Indian Super League have received their call up for the match against Hong Kong.

“Talking about player selection, we selected the players based on their performance in the ISL. So, according to that he (Albino) had done well in Jamshedpur and even Edmund has done well, so depending on the performance. Bijoy had done well and that is why we called him. All the players who gave good performance has been called in. Bijoy is a good player, local from here, so this is a good chance for him to show that I am the best”

Did the team get enough time to train?

When Edmund was asked if whether the team got enough time to train, he yet again optimistically answered;

“Yeah, yeah. The team bonding is strong, we know Khalid sir is a good coach, a good human being. He understands the players. He is a demanding coach, but he also gives freedom to the players, so I don’t think there will be a problem in that.  Everyone supports each other. I think everyone is ready to fight for the country.”

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