Dovale hails inspirational Chhetri
Bengaluru: Toni Dovale believes the attitude Sunil Chhetri shows every day in training inspires the rest of the JSW Bengaluru players to raise their standards as the Indian side prepare to face Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the second leg of the AFC Cup Inter-Zone final on Wednesday.
Trailing 1-0 after losing in Dushanbe three weeks ago, Bengaluru will look to maintain their 100 percent home record and deal a first defeat of the competition to the 2015 runners-up, who have won their last five on the continent.
A win by a two-goal margin would see Bengaluru return to the final for a second successive season but an away goal from Istiklol, who have scored in every game they’ve played, could prove costly in what promises to be a nervy night at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
“Away goals in these matches are really important and would give Istiklol a much higher chance of success,” said former Celta Vigo winger Dovale, who joined the Karnataka state team ahead of their 3-0 first-leg victory over DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC in the previous round two months ago.
“We have to manage the attacking and defensive sides because it will be 90 minutes, or 120, so we are ready for everything.
“It was a tight first game and we did a pretty good job. They won 1-0 but I think now we’re at home, the fortress, we have another chance and we will do everything we can to go to the final. It will be a tough night for both teams.”
After spending the best part of a decade with Celta, Spaniard Dovale had spells at several other sides in his homeland as well as Kansas City Wizards in the U.S.
With Bengaluru already through to the AFC Cup Inter-Zone semi-finals after winning Group E, Dovale was one of a host of new signings acquired by head coach and fellow Spaniard Albert Rocca ahead of the knockout rounds and the upcoming Indian Super League season.
A number of other players from Spain have also been integrated into the squad, making the settling-in period for Dovale relatively straightforward, while the winger has been impressed with what he has seen from the club’s star man, Chhetri.
“We have a captain who is a legend in India,” added Dovale, who played the first leg with three broken ribs and will again require painkillers for the game on Wednesday.
“He’s 33, but when he trains you can see the ambition in his eyes to play and improve, so I think that makes everyone follow.
“And when I see the faces of the other guys, we have ambition. As a team, we’re hungry – the only thing we want is a win, this is a drug for us and we have the desire.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s) , give your comment