India at AFC Asian Cup 2024: 'We Are Army Going To War,' Says KP Rahul

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The Indian football team has been putting in some serious shifts in the build-up to the AFC Asian Cup 2024 as the day for their opening Group B match against World No. 25 Australia (January 13 closes). Likely to make his debut at the continental tournament, KP Rahul gave a glimpse of how the national team is gearing up for D-Day.

"I feel proud to be a part of this team. It feels like we are an army going to war," KP Rahul told the-aiff.com. "I get a lot of love at my club (Kerala Blasters), but being in the national team is special. My parents especially love it. And that too, being selected for a tournament as big is this is a special occasion."

Earlier, India's newly-appointed set-piece coach Tervor Sinclair also gave his insight on how Indian team is working hard for the AFC Asian Cup 2024.

"The squad is training hard at the moment," Sinclair told RevSportz. "Discipline in the group, standard of training and it is not a dream job for me as a lot of hard work in this group has already been undertaken. I am feeling very privileged and can only see this Indian team get better and better from here. Spirit and belief are there, and there are some leaders in the group who set standards for the young players."

23-year-old KP Rahul, who scored India's sole goal at the Asian Games 2023 - an U-23 tournament --, may find a place in the starting 11 against Australia as it has been reported that head coach Igor Stimac may turn to him if Sahal Abdul Samad isn't fit enough to feature in the playing 11.

KP Rahul, a versatile forward capable of playing as a winger or a striker, has the experience of playing at big-ticket tournament in the past as he was integral part of India squad during their maiden appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2018 as the host. Coming up the AIFF Academy, Rahul said he was grateful to the federation for providing him the opportunity.

"I really must thank the AIFF for all it has done for me. I've been a part of this system for a decade now, and played in almost every junior national team," he said. "Playing in the World Cup (U-17), the AFC junior championships, and the Asian Games were great experiences, and they helped make me what I am today."