4-5 friendlies against good teams is ideal preparation for Asian Cup: Gurpreet

India's first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu says a good number of international friendlies against difficult opponents will hold the national team in good stead, going into the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

India are set to play China in October in an international friendly, the first time in 21 years and the first away from home.

For some time, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has also been trying to get a match arranged against Saudi Arabia.

Both China (76) and Saudi Arabia (71) are ranked higher than India (97) in the FIFA charts, and matches against such teams are exactly what Gurpreet and his teammates were looking forward to.

"Facing China is very good news for us. It gives a chance to test ourselves against a good opponent. We have tried to develop into a fighting unit in the last three-four years and we need to use the available windows," Gurpreet told PTI during a chat.

Availability of windows could be a factor though, the custodian acknowledged
"There are people who are trying their best to get into the team and that makes it very competitive for all of us. These young boys are always eager to show that they are good enough to play for the national team."
"It's an honour to play alongside him. He is the most important player in Indian football right now and one of the most important in Indian sports too. His hunger inspires us and he leads by example. I would want him to play as long as I play."
"There are good things that come out (in the media), and there are also bad things. See, the coach is giving us results, we have proved it in the last few years. For me, he is a great coach, and knows what is required."
"It's better to forget it as a professional. We have recovered from it pretty fast. We went to into the Super Cup, and wining it gave us a lot of joy and relief."