India vs Oman: We're not afraid of anyone, says star defender Sandesh Jhingan

India’s latest debutant Sandesh Jhingan says that the side are not afraid of any opposition and have a new-found belief as they kick-off their World Cup 2018 preliminary qualifying campaign against Oman on 11 June. Oman are ranked 101st in the FIFA ranking — 40 places above India in a group also consisting of Iran, Turkmenistan and Guam. “You have to believe if you want to win big,” Jhingan said during an interaction in Bengaluru. “We have a positive attitude and we’re not afraid of any team. In fact, you cannot fear anyone to achieve your dreams. If we believe, no one can stop us.” [caption id=“attachment_2287232” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Sandesh Jhingan. BCCI[/caption] Jhingan made his debut for India in the first round qualifier against Nepal and was the Indian Super League 2014’s emerging player of the year while turning out of the Kerala Blasters. The highly-rated centre-back has developed a reputation for being a ball-playing defender likes to come forward at every opportunity. Jhingan made the most number of challenges (42) for Kerala Blasters as they reached the final of the ISL. He also created two goals for his team as manager Trevor Morgan encouraged him to start attacks from the back. At 6'2", the Chandigarh born player is an imposing figure in India’s backline as the team embarks on setting up a faster and stronger side. And at just 21-years of age, he’s just getting started. For an Indian team that has often been blamed for putting in toothless displays on home soil, Jhingan could play a vital role. India have won five of their nine home games since 2013 but all those wins came against teams ranked lower than them — Chinese Taipei, Guam, Pakistan and Nepal (two matches). On being asked what the team was doing to improve their mentality on the pitch, Jhingan said: “The other day we went to the army camp and did the drills that the jawaans do. These were drills where if you fall, you fall 12 feet and break your bones. When we first saw this, we said no we can’t do it. But then (Stephen) Constantine, even at his age went up and completed them all. We said ‘what’? He led from the front with example — this is one of those things which makes you want to push yourself past a limit.” Jhingan also believes that the coach has instilled new found belief in the team since taking over in February this year: “Constantine is a very inspirational man. When he talks you just go ‘phew’. He demands discipline on and off the pitch but is a great motivator. When he talks, it gives me goosebumps.” But despite feeling supremely confident, Jhingan — and even Constantine — admitted that India will have to cope without possession for long spells. “We know there’s a chance that we won’t have enough of the ball. But it’s not always about possession — you saw how Spain capitulated at the World Cup even with possession. It’s about making most of the ball when you have it. So counter-attacks and hitting them on the break, that will matter,” Jhingan said — giving a glimpse of India’s plans against their opponents on Thursday. India vs Oman kick-off is on 11 June 7 PM IST.