India skipper Sunil Chhetri and coach Stephen Constantine said that they have the capability of winning against Bahrain and reaching the next round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Four days after creating a flutter with a stunning 4-1 drubbing of Thailand, India are now looking an upbeat lot in the continental showpiece.
Sunil Chhetri became the second highest active international goal scorer as India beat Thailand 4-1 in their 2019 AFC Asian Cup opener in Abu Dhabi.
Sunil Chhetri scored in the 27th and 46th minute of the match against Thailand to net his 66th and 67th international goals.
Sunil Chhetri (x2), Anirudh Thapa and Jeje Lalpekhlua scored for India in their win over Thailand in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup opener.
India will play their first match on Sunday against Thailand here, followed by games against UAE (Abu Dhabi) and Bahrain (Sharjah) on January 10 and 14 respectively.
India take on Thailand in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and Jeje sounded confident.
The Indian team captain made the appeal after just around 2,500 fans came to watch their previous game.
The home side survived onslaughts from Delhi Dynamos before Udanta struck the lone goal in the 87th minute to win the match.
Bengaluru FC are the only team who are unbeaten so far, although they have only played six matches.
Chhetri suffered the injury during Bengaluru's Hero ISL match against Kerala Blasters on November 5.
Bengaluru broke the Kerala hearts with nine minutes to go. Xisco released Miku into the box and the latter's return was sent goalwards by the Spaniard.
It is the Indian national squad's first visit to China and a chance to see if India has closed the gap on the stronger teams from the continent.
Out of the 17 matches played between the two countries so far, the Red Dragons have won on 12 occasions. The rest of the five matches ended in draws.
India's all-time highest scorer, who is also among the top five in international football, said they are looking forward to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The 34-year-old Chhetri is currently taking part in Bengaluru FC's pre-season training in Spain, will receive the award at the annual programme on August 16.
The Indian men's football team was hoping to use the Asian Games as a build up for next year's AFC Asian Cup.
India are clubbed with UAE, Thailand and Bahrain in Group A of the continental showpiece.
Sunil Chhetri netted eight goals in the title-winning Intercontinental Cup campaign in Mumbai and also played his milestone 100th match in India colours.
After leading India to an emphatic win in the Intercontinental Cup, Chhetri spoke about his thoughts leading up to the Twitter video that went viral and infused new life into Indian football's fandom.
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