Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu feels that the victorious campaign at the Intercontinental Cup has helped the team prepare for the AFC Asian Cup.
India thrashed Kenya earlier this month to lift the four-nation Intercontinental Cup played here. The event also involved New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.
"The team as a whole performed very well in the Intercontinental Cup. This tournament helped us a great deal in preparing for the Asian Cup in January next year. We did very well here and we are confident, but we cannot afford to be complacent," Gurpreet told PTI.
But a sterner test lies ahead for Sunil Chhetri and his boys as they have been clubbed with hosts UAE, Bahrain and Thailand for the AFC Asian Cup in January.
"Personally speaking, it (Intercontinental Cup) was a good test for me mentally and physically. It always helps when you get to play good sides in a cup tournament at home," the 26-year-old custodian said.
What does taking part in the AFC Asian Cup mean to Gurpreet and the Indian team?
"It's like the World Cup for us, this is the stage where every Asian player would want to play once in their career and we as players have this opportunity."
"It's a privilege to have him (Chhetri) in the team. He guides everyone in the right direction and asks everyone to be the best they can be for the Asian Cup because nothing less than that will work. Sunil Chhetri is an Indian football legend. He is an inspiration to all the young players in the country."
"I've never taken my position for granted. I've worked hard to get here and I am trying to put in double the effort to stay because if I don't someone else will."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content