India must frustrate UAE: Jules

PANAJI: Some memories remain etched in gold.
As India prepare to take on the might of hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their second group clash of the Asian Cup 2019, Jules Alberto Dias knows his phone would be buzzing.
The former India midfielder has spent much of the last decade in England since quitting professional football in 2006. He now finds himself back home at a time when India's campaign in the Asian Cup has gained unexpected momentum following a 4-1 demolition of Thailand.
The former Salgaocar midfielder, after all, scored the all-important goal against the UAE in a Fifa World Cup qualifier at home in 2001.That was India's only win this century against the UAE. And as Stephen Constantine's boys seek inspiration to get at least a point against the hosts, they can look back on those tapes from that classic in Bengaluru.
"That goal did us a world of good. Not just to me personally, but the team as a whole," said Jules, who was a regular for India from 1999 till 2004.
Jules scored close to a dozen goals for India but it is his opportunistic strike against the UAE - then coached by Henri Michel, who took France to the semifinals at the 1986 World Cup - that remains one of the enduring memories engraved in the psyche of Indian football.
"The UAE were a superior side, but we had belief that we could get a positive result. Our initial strategy was to stop their attacks from the flank, so they were forced to play from the middle. That plan worked and they played straight into our hands.
"India can surely succeed against the UAE in the Asian Cup but I guess a point should be good enough. We must play to our strengths and frustrate them. All that India need is belief," said Jules, now coach of Dartford FC Academy U-16s.
India had frustrated the UAE at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium with the visitors unable to create many openings. Coach Sukhwinder Singh had done enough with his homework, while players like Bhaichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri and Khalid Jamil played their roles to perfection.
That victory caught everyone's attention with Jules, and a couple of other Indian players, drawing offers from the west Asia. Most of them, though, were focused on the World Cup qualifiers with a narrow defeat in the UAE killing their chances of advancing.
"They can be a terror at home but India should be brave. They will come hard no doubt, particularly after that draw against Bahrain (in the opener)," said Jules.