New Delhi: With the tournament drawing to a close, India find themselves back where they started. Having played Afghanistan in their opening match of the SAFF Cup, they must overcome the same opponents in the final on Sunday if they are to successfully defend their crown.
Many considered the 1-1 draw against the 178-ranked Afghanistan a disappointing result for the Indians, but coach Savio Medeira has rightly refused to take the Afghans lightly, despite the 16 places separating the two sides in the rankings.
“We respect Afghanistan. Technically, they are a good side. They have some good players in the team, who play in overseas leagues. So they have that experience with them,” he points out.
Still, many will consider India as favourites, given that they have lost only once to the Afghans in 13 matches and this is the first time that Afghanistan have made it to the final of the SAFF Cup. In fact, Afghanistan’s next best performance in a major tournament came way back in the 1951 Asian Games, when they finished fourth. However, Medeira disagrees.
“It might be Afghanistan’s first final, but they are a very organized team,” he says. “Since the first match, they have improved with every game and have played consistently well. So they might be a surprise package, but if we analyze their performances, they have shown that they have got quality. It is going to be a very good, entertaining final.”
India have also come a long way since that opening draw, and Medeira says the confidence is high. “Unlike us, the rest of the teams got together to prepare much before the tournament. We had just a day of practice before the friendlies (against Malaysia and Zambia), so in that light, the team has done very well and I give full credit to them."
“Our first match was not very good. But as we have progressed, we have done very well. The way we regrouped after the first game and the team spirit and character which we have shown throughout has been very encouraging for me as a coach. The boys have got confidence and because we have performed better, we are now in the final.”
In particular, in-form striker Sunil Chhetri came in for praise from the India coach, given that he joined the team only a day before their first match after a week-long trial with Rangers in Scotland.
“It shows his character and ability. It’s not easy to hit the ground running after a long flight and then jet lag. But he took it up as a challenge and now Chhetri has got four man-of-the-match awards. The way he is playing, it gives a lot of confidence to the entire team. I hope he can carry his form into the final also.”
However, Chhetri is not alone at the top of the goal-scoring charts. Afghanistan’s Balal Arezo also has six goals from four games coming into the final, and the 22-year-old is sure to trouble India with his pace and skills. However, Medeira is confident his defence, which is yet to convince, can cope with the threat.
“I don’t think there is any problem with the defence. So far, we have conceded only two goals. Against two quality Maldives strikers (in the semi-final), they did very well. There is always room for improvement, but I am satisfied with their performance.”
In fact, the main concern for the Goan is the fatigue factor, despite the fact that Afghanistan played their semi-final after India and needed extra-time to defeat Nepal.
“If we had more recovery time or another day of rest before the final, it would have been better. It’s not just about this tournament. Looking ahead also, immediately after the finals, the boys will go back to their clubs and then every three of four days, they’ll be playing their I-League matches. That’s a lot to ask of the players.”
For now though, the focus is on the final and Medeira is determined to bring India their sixth SAFF Cup title, in the process also tasting his first major success as the national coach.
“We have been consistently improving. For this one last match now, I will ask the boys to go all out and give their hundred percent. To come so far and not win the trophy will be disappointing.”
Indeed, in a competition India have dominated since its inception in 1993, the pressure will be on them on Sunday, and anything but a win will be a disappointment for the team and its noisy supporters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
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