HINDUSTAN TIMES, JALANDHAR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018 hindustantimes sport 17 facetoface ASIAN CUP PREPARATION CAROLINA M ARIN, Reigning Olympic and World badminton champion ‘Any top-10 player can win today’ TOUGH FIGHT China keep producing talent and are not finished, but little to choose between Sindhu and Saina Bihan Sengupta three World Championship titles… adapt my game according to the n [email protected] How do you explain that? player. (Chuckles) I feel I prepared well MUMBAI: It has been a sensational for the big tournaments? I Sindhu just won the World Tour n The Indian team poses in new jerseys on Wednesday. AIFF season for Carolina Marin, hav- believed that I could win big Finals? Did you see her play? ing won the World Champion- tournaments, believed in my Yeah, of course. I’ve been there. I ships for a record third time this team, had the support and think she did great. I feel happy ‘2 weeks enough for year. After injuries post her that’s very important for me… that she could win a big title. Olympic gold in 2016, Marin And yeah, I just did it! seems to have hit top gear, bag- On court, Marin is an aggressive India to acclimatise’ ging titles in China, Hong Kong It perhaps wasn’t as simple as you player with a lot of focus. How is and clinching the European put it. There were injuries, lack of she off it? Championships this year. Part form… Well, (she) is totally different HT Correspondent with the Oman friendly so we had of Pune 7 Aces, who make their It was very difficult. Because I (laughs). Opposite completely. n [email protected] to refuse. We wanted to play big, debut in the Premier Badminton lost… I didn’t believe in myself, I Carolina Marin out of the court strong teams like China and Jor- League, the Spaniard will lock thought maybe I couldn’t win is a very friendly girl, she likes NEW DELHI: The All India Football dan because they are strong com- horns with Hyderabad Hunters’ another big title, I cannot be the to laugh; be with friends and Federation is aiming for its team petition.” It is not sure if teams PV Sindhu in the season opener player that I was, I was scared to family. She’s a very open per- to earn a berth at the 2026 FIFA like China or Korea want to play here on December 22. Ahead of come back, I wasn’t motivated to son. I like to cook as well but the World Cup. The only problem is India. the marquee clash, the world No keep practicing. It was very hard problem is I don’t have much that India just doesn’t know how India have been drawn in 4 spoke about how difficult it was these one-and-a-half-years. But time because I’m travelling. to make its big dreams a reality. Group A along with hosts UAE, to shrug off injuries, be among now I believe more in myself India is due to participate in Thailand and Bahrain. India the contenders again and her because I did so many changes in A Spanish player had won just one the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the kickoff against Thailand on Janu- targets for 2019. my practice and mentality. match at the Olympics before you United Arab Emirates from Janu- ary 6, followed by UAE (January Excerpts: won gold. Have you created a leg- ary 5 to February 1. This is only 10) and Bahrain (January 14). Among the things that you lost in acy in your country? the fourth time India have man- India will also be without the How would you define 2018? the process, is also the world No 1 I think so, because there are so aged to qualify in 17 editions for services of Nishu Kumar and The performance during the ranking. Does it bother you? many changes in Spain… the quadrennial event and the Jerry Lalrinzuala, both unfit. year has got better, so I feel very I’m of course trying to be world Already many people know first since 2011. “We are ready to face anyone. happy. From the World Cham- No 1 again but it’s not my main about badminton, and I feel While other continental pow- We respect all three teams. They pionships until the end of the goal. I didn’t keep that as my happy that Spanish people want ers like Iran and China are pre- are difficult. But we are well pre- year, it has been great. focus because I know Tai Tzu to follow my sport. Not just paring in Qatar, India will leave pared. We have two weeks to pre- Ying is doing really good. She’s myself because they like how I on Thursday and will barely have pare and go out there to give our Would you agree that China’s a great player. So my goal is just play, but also my sport. After the two weeks before the 24-team best. All we are thinking right domination has come to an end? to keep motivating myself, and (Rio) Games, I could see there tournament kicks-off. India will now is to get maximum points I don’t think so. You can see so keep working hard and focus on were so many kids and their par- play only one friendly against from the first game. India will be many young players coming up. the main goal. ents interested in the sport. Oman on December 27 while looking to get no less than three They (China) are not finished teams like Qatar, Jordan and points against Thailand,” said yet. They have so many players Given you just mentioned Tai Tzu, You have been competing in PBL even Palestine will play multiple India captain Sunil Chhetri. who are not in the top of the who do you feel is your toughest since 2013. An experienced player friendlies to ready themselves for India previously participated ranking now but have two in rival at the moment? at a new franchise… How do you the continental championship. in the Asian Cup in 1964, 1984 and the top-10. I always say it’s me (laughs). see the season for your side? India’s head coach Stephen 2011. Chhetri, 34, is the only survi- Can’t name one because any I feel happy to be a part of the Constantine, who has always vor of the 2011 squad. But hasn’t it got a bit more open player is always difficult to play. new team. Let’s see how it goes. wanted longer preparation time Comparing India’s current given that there are two Japanese, I’m excited to meet the rest of for tournaments like Asian Cup, preparation to the one in 2011, two Chinese, two Indians… I’ll keep it simple because you’re in the team, players and practice now feels two weeks are enough Chhetri said: “In 2011, we were Of course, it’s very open now. In India. Sindhu or Saina? with them. to acclimatise. together for six months. But this the top-10 we almost have the Both players are great so I can- “We have two weeks there in time, all the boys selected are same ranking so any player can not choose one of them. I cannot What’s the aim for 2019? Abu Dhabi to get acclimatised. playing constantly in the Indian win a tournament now. choose between one of the I want to care about my body, Our first two games are also in Super League and I-League. Now top-10 players because every injuries and keep working harder Abu Dhabi. Our preparation is we just have to come together as a You say it’s open and but end up player has a different strategy, to win some more big titles. okay. We could’ve had a few more single unit and give it our best becoming the first player to win different game, so I have to games but that was not for lack of shot.” Is the Tokyo Olympics playing on time. We sent letters to over 25 Clearly, India’s players have Carolina Marin out of the court is a very friendly girl, your mind? footballing nations and wanted to more time playing for their Well, it’s not time for the next play teams that are playing the club teams in the Indian Super ›she likes to laugh; be with friends and family. She’s a Olympic Games so… My focus is Asian Cup,” said Constantine at League. India’s 28-member squad on 2019 where I have a number of the jersey launch of the team. leaves for Abu Dhabi on Thurs- very open person. I like to cook as well... tournaments to play that I would “I also received a call from day with the 23-member CAROLINA MARIN, on herself off the court like to win, and then I will think (Iran coach) Carlos Queiroz to list slated to be announced on about the Olympic Games. play a friendly but that clashed December 26. ROUNDUP Kirsten, Gibbs to Patna Pirates play Rain, epic stand save Lanka in Kiwi Test Agence France-Presse Obviously it’s a shame the Black Caps on New Zealand [email protected] soil. face panel for post out thrilling draw n Highest stand in second innings for SL › to have the weather It will give the world’s sixth- WELLINGTON: Sri Lanka battled to a Wicket Players and Opponent Runs ranked team confidence after against Bengaluru rain-affected draw in the first around.