The Indian national team had their first practice session at the Police Ground in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The practice session begun at 15.00 local time sharp and continued for around an hour. The ground was a half an hour drive from the Team Hotel where Team India is based.

National coach Wim Koevermans was satisfied with the intensity of the practice session. “It was important for the boys to adjust to the grass. The grass was however, a bit wet and soft courtesy the rains. And it a bit big at places,” Koevermans told AIFF Media. “Hence, we took a bit more breaks in between,” he added.

Despite the dark clouds overhead and the mountains at a distance all covered by the clouds, it didn’t rain when the Indian team practiced in the afternoon. However, post practice, there was a bit of drizzle in early evening.

“We did inspect three grounds in the morning for practice and eventually zeroed down on the Police Headquarters for the same,” Koevermans pronounced.

“We are sticking to the strategies set by our coach. We need to listen to his instructions and are looking forward to the first match,” I-league’s best midfielder Lenny Rodrigues maintained.

Team India will have a morning practice session on Thursday.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)