We are definitely on the right way: Thomas Dennerby

Despite
the
loss,
the
determination
and
grit
displayed
by
the
Indian
side
and
the
charged
atmosphere
at
the
Kalinga
Stadium
made
the
match
a
truly
memorable
occasion.

After
the
match,
in
a
chat
with
AIFF
India
head
coach
Thomas
Dennerby,
the
highly-experienced
Swede,
shared
his
thoughts
on
a
number
of
topics,
such
as
his
takeaways
from
the
team’s
performances,
the
progress
made
by
the
side
and
the
incredible
fan
support,
among
other
things.

EXCERPTS:

Q:
What
is
your
assessment
of
the
three
results?

Dennerby:
First
of
all,
we
came
here
with
the
aim
to
be
the
first
Indian
team
to
take
points
in
a
FIFA
World
Cup
and
we
couldn’t
do
that.
Of
course,
if
you
come
to
see
it
that
way,
we
didn’t
reach
all
the
way
that
we
aimed
for
with
the
team.

However,
I’m
still
proud
of
the
girls
because
our
performances
have
been
better
with
each
and
every
game
and
I
think
after
the
match
against
Brazil,
most
Indians
also
should
be
proud
of
the
team
because
they
were
really,
really
fighting
and
also
showed
good
combination
play
in
a
couple
of
situations.
Definitely,
we
are
on
the
right
way.

Q:
What
are
your
takeaways
from
these
performances
from
the
girls?

Dennerby:
I
think
that
in
general,
we
can
defend
very
well.
We
were
defending
in
an
organized
way
and
we
were
disciplined
for
most
of
the
time
during
the
90
minutes.
Sometimes,
we
made
some
small
mistakes
and
if
we
do
that
against
top-level
teams,
they
will
hurt
us
and
that
is
a
lesson
we
need
to
learn.
It
is
not
something
you
can
learn
in
the
classroom.

You
need
to
learn
it
on
the
field
—
to
have
your
head
cool
all
the
time,
so
you
don’t
do
such
small
mistakes
because
of
stress
or
you
think
that
you
have
less
time
than
you
actually
have.

It
would
be
wrong
to
blame
the
girls
as
they
were
always
fighting
and
doing
the
best
they
could.
I’m
so
happy
also
to
see
that
the
fitness
level
of
the
team
was
very
good
because
we
were
never
tired.

Q:
What
key
learnings
do
you
draw?

Dennerby:
Firstly,
when
you’re
more
relaxed,
you
play
better.
You
have
to
believe
in
yourself,
and
your
strengths
and
you
have
to
use
them
to
your
advantage.
I
think
we
should
take
away
what
I
already
said
—
the
good
fitness
level,
that
we
were
ready
to
take
on
anything
when
it
comes
to
endurance
levels,
speed,
number
of
sprints,
repeated
sprints
—
that
was
not
a
problem
at
all
for
us.

Those
are
good
but
of
course,
one
thing
that
we
can
work
with
is
the
attacking
game
in
the
offensive
third,
which
includes
around
the
opponent’s
box,
the
final
pass,
composure
in
finishing,
taking
the
right
decision
to
pass
the
ball
at
the
right
moment
and
give
it
to
forward
players
on
the
run,
but
that
takes
time.

It’s
easier
to
organize
the
defence
and
come
into
the
small
details
of
the
attacking
game.
I’m
still
proud
of
the
girls.
They
really
tried.

Q:
We
have
seen
that
with
each
game,
the
girls
have
performed
better.
What
do
you
think
was
the
reason
for
the
same?

Dennerby:
I
think
it’s
very
easy
to
answer
this
question
because,
with
each
and
every
game
they
play,
they
get
more
experience.
They
didn’t
fear
so
much.
We
always
show
respect
but
I
think
that
in
the
first
game
against
the
USA,
we
feared
comparatively
more
and
now,
we
were
freer
to
play
and
tried
to
play
accordingly.
In
the
match,
you
are
outside
the
frame
that
you
put
up
together
with
the
coaching
staff
and
so
on,
but
the
girls
definitely
were
disciplined.

But,
we
also
need
to
realize
the
fact
that
five
months
isn’t
very
much
to
change
and
learn
if
you
are
not
used
to
playing
top
international
games
since
you
are
14-15,
as
the
other
girls
have
done.
So
if
you
have
the
whole
picture,
as
I
have,
and
can
compare
it
with
other
countries,
I’m
very
proud
of
the
girls.

Q:
What
are
your
thoughts
on
these
players
stepping
up
to
the
senior
national
team?

Dennerby:
A
few
of
them
have
already
been
to
the
senior
team.
Astam
(Oraon)
was
with
them
already
during
2020-21.
Shilky
(Devi)
was
there
as
well
before
she
broke
her
leg
this
spring
and
I
think
there
are
a
few
central
midfielders
who
can
definitely
be
there.
I
hope
that
we
also
have
some
forwards
who
can
make
the
step
up
but
it’s
honestly
too
early
to
say
because
when
you’re
17,
there
are
a
lot
of
things
that
can
happen.

So,
it’s
very
much
up
to
each
and
everyone
on
how
much
they
are
ready
to
put
in,
how
much
they
are
ready
to
try
to
live
their
dreams
and
be
a
professional
footballer.
All
the
players
have
the
talent
to
go,
definitely,
but
it’s
hard
work
because
talent
is
just
one
part
of
it.
You
need
to
follow
your
training
schedule
and
have
that
discipline.
I
think
there
are
a
lot
of
players
here
that
definitely
can
be
in
the
senior
team
in
a
couple
of
years.

Q:
A
lot
of
fans
came
to
support
the
team
in
these
three
games.
Your
message
to
them?

Dennerby:
I’m
very
happy
that
they
were
giving
us
that
good
support
all
the
way
and
it’s
not
easy
to
give
support
when
your
team
is
under
pressure.
However,
they
were
behind
us
all
the
time
and
I
think
also
they
understood
very
well
how
tough
it
is
for
us
to
play
these
good
teams.

Thank
you
to
each
and
every
one
in
India
for
all
your
support.
We
are
super
happy
about
the
staff
and
players
and
everybody
working
with
the
team,
so
thank
you
very
much
to
all
the
fans.
Be
patient
with
these
girls.
They’re
going
to
come
back,
and
then
we’re
going
to
win
more
games.

Source:
AIFF
Media
Release