India shouldn`t lose heart for Aus, Korea grouping: Robson

Former England and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson advised Indian football team not to lose heart at being clubbed with Australia and South Korea in next year`s Asian Cup.

New Delhi: Former England and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson today advised Indian football team

not to lose heart at being clubbed with Australia and South Korea in next year`s Asian Cup but to "take up the challenge" to compete with the best in the continent. Robson, who is here as coach of Thailand who will play an international friendly against India tomorrow, said it was an excellent chance for India to show that they can compete at the highest level. "Your team is pitted against two sides which no country would want to be grouped together. But India should show that they can compete at the top level, against the best in Asia," Robson said at the pre-match press conference. "It is an excellent chance for India to be able to compete at the Asian Cup," he added. He said the All India Football Federation has given national coach Bob Houghton the right platform to prepare for the Asian Cup. "I think the Indian FA has given Bob (Houghton) a great chance to get his side organised for the 2011 Asian Cup," Robson said. The legendary midfielder, who had coached four English Premier League sides before taking the reigns of Thailand national team, praised Indian striker Sunil Chhetri for his fine show in the first international friendly in Bangkok which his side won 1-0. "You have a very good striker (Chhetri). But when playing with strong opponents you should not waste chances. I have been telling to my players that good players should kill matches when they get chances," he said, referring to Chhetri`s effort just before half time which hit the crossbar in Bangkok.” "India are are compact, disciplined and we found it very difficult to break them down. The goalkeeper (Subrata Paul) was very good, he made some outstanding saves," Robson said. "It is going to a tight game tomorrow and the side who takes the chances will win," he said. Robson had come here with only five senior national side players with some of the first team players left out due to AFC Cup engagements. Star striker Sarayoot Chaikumdee, who scored the winning goal in Bangkok, has been left out as well as key midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao and defender Panupong Wongsa who captained the side in the first match. "National team players are released for club engagements. Thai League champion Muathong has about nine national team players. We had to release some of them for AFC Cup quarterfinal match," Robson explained. PTI