Team India: Two friendlies in December

Bob Houghton and his boys continue their preparations for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and in December Team India will play two international friendlies, which will be further tough tests for them. First India play the Asian Cup hosts Qatar on December 19; while then on boxing day (December 26) India face Syria, the team India beat twice to win the 'ONGC' Nehru Cup at home. Both the matches will be played in the Emirate of Dubai.

At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, which will be played in Qatar from January 7 to 29, India have been drawn in Group C along with Australia, South Korea and Bahrain; who happen to be No. 1, 3 and 6 in the Asian rankings. A real tough ask for Team India.

Team India has been in training since July, first a two month camp in Portugal; then a series of friendly matches in Delhi and Pune; and now the Dubai camp since early November, but the last few weeks in Dubai haven't been the best when one looks at the heart-breaking results.

After a gap of a year, India played their first international friendly in Bangkok against Thailand (0-1) on September 4; this was followed by another match against Thailand (1-2) and Namibia (2-0) at home in Delhi; then the matches shifted to Pune here India faced Hongkong (0-1), Vietnam (3-1) and Yemen (3-6); before India shifted their base to Dubai. First was a close game against defending Asian champions Iraq (0-2) in Sharjah, then the trashing against Kuwait (1-9) in Abu Dhabi and then followed by a heavy defeat against United Arab Emirates (0-5) in Dubai.

And last week India played two friendlies against local club sides. First a loss against Fujairah Sports Club (0-1) and then a win against Hatta Sports Club (3-1) to end the month on a high.