Indian football coach Stephen Constantine said it will be a "big challenge" to beat Kyrgyzstan in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday but stressed that the physical condition of the squad is so good right now that they can beat "anyone".
"If it's a battle of stamina, I would put us to beat anybody at the moment," Constantine said on Monday. "We are very physical, we are quite strong. We have a fit and hard-working team, so on that front I am not worried.
"They (Kyrgyzstan) are a sturdy team, they are difficult to break down and I'm sure they didn't come here to lose either. And they will think that they will win this game, which is understandable. But we are in India, we are at home and we have to take three points."
Slight injuries to Sunil Chhetri and Rowllin Borges are worries for India but Constantine hinted that Rowllin will play while Chhetri himself said he is most likely to start.
"The first thing that Rowllin said when we were stitching his head was, 'Am I going to play?'" Constantine said of the deep-lying playermaker's inclusion. "I think we have established more or less a settled squad. It has taken the best part of two years to get where we want."
Chhetri, who missed the match against Nepal, trained with the squad and looks likely to lead the attacking line. "I'm quite charged up, man," Chhetri said. "I got a three-four days' break. Once I came back from the camp, they checked me, analysed me and thought there was still some scar tissue. Initially when I came to know this, I wasn't very happy but it really worked out. I am quite happy to be back into the team. Thankfully, I'm ready for tomorrow."
Kyrgyzstan were 10 places above India in the rankings at the start of the qualifiers, but three months on India have moved 30 places above their Asian counterparts.
Constantine, however, rubbished the favourites tag based on rankings. "Look, I think the rankings are there for a reason," he said. "Many variables determine the rankings. Whether we are 32 above or below will not decide the outcome of the game but by who wants it more and how hard and how well we play."
Kyrgyzstan were always the biggest threat in the group for India -- something their national team coach did not shy away from acknowledging. "Yes, we are favourites and we have come here for nothing less than three points," Russian coach Aleksandr Krestenin said earlier in the press conference.
Chhetri's response to this showed the kind of confidence India have going into this important group game. "All the best to them, man," he said.