‘Our boys showed they know how to play football’: Sisir Ghosh, Gautam Sarkar hail India after Panama draw
“Our boys showed that they know how to play football,” Ghosh said, while describing Williams’ goal as “fantastic” and praising the overall display.
Xtratime Webdesk: India’s 1-1 draw against Panama in Bengaluru on Friday has given the Blue Tigers plenty of encouragement ahead of their much-anticipated clash against Brazil. India took the lead in the first half through Ryan Williams before Panama found the equaliser after the break.
India took the lead in the first half through Ryan Williams, who found the net before the break. Panama equalised in the second half, but India held on for a draw against the 44th-ranked side.
Sisir Ghosh, one of Bengal’s prominent former strikers who represented the Bengal giants and played for India, praised the team’s performance despite the difference in rankings.
“Our boys showed that they know how to play football,” Ghosh said, while describing Williams’ goal as “fantastic” and praising the overall display.
He also felt the team should carry the same fighting spirit into the Brazil game. “Nobody says, ‘I will lose’. We will fight,” Ghosh said, stressing that football cannot be predicted before the match.
Gautam Sarkar, the former India midfielder and a well-known captain of the Bengal giants, popularly known as the ‘Indian Beckenbauer’, also called the performance a matter of pride.
“Our boys proved that they know how to play,” Sarkar said, adding that such performances can “take us further forward” in the future.
With Brazil now next, Sarkar remained hopeful that the team can produce another strong showing. “I am optimistic,” he said, wishing the players well and hoping they can “make us feel very proud.”
Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Chhetri was present at the stadium, keenly watching the action from the stands as India battled Panama. Chhetri closely followed the team’s performance and was visibly invested in the proceedings, before sharing his reaction after the final whistle. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Immensely proud of the boys tonight. Watched you from the stands. Well done Khalid bhai, and the staff. There’s a big one coming up next. Rest well and only the best of everything for this bunch.”
For India, the Panama draw has now set the stage for an even bigger test against Brazil.