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Defending champions India, who have been far from impressive in the 2013 SAFF Championship, will face an in-form Maldives in the second semifinal of the tournament on Monday, September 9 evening at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu.
The question is, can India turn things around in the semifinals against the islanders and finally show how well they can play? Can they sneak somehow into the final?
The word ‘believe’ is being used a lot around Team India even though captain Sunil Chhetri will have to sit out due to a double card suspension.
National coach Wim Koevermans said at the pre-match press conference: “I won’t comment what others have to say about us. We are focusing on the next match, our fourth final.”
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For Maldives, it has rained goals – 18 goals in three matches with the final match against Afghanistan having been a goalless draw. The other day a local joked, “It hasn’t rained that much in Kathmandu this year as much as it has rained goals for Maldives.”
“Will you be able to stop the goal-rush?” Subrata Pal was asked at the Media Interaction at the Police Headquarters ground.
“They have scored 18 goals. But we are not that bad as a team. But Maldives is not all about Ali Ashfaq. He is a great player no doubt but they are a very dangerous unit.”
When reminded about Ali Ashfaq’s comment that this is the ‘weakest Indian team’ he has ever seen, Subrata smiled innocently. “It’s his opinion. We are not looking back at history. Instead, we prefer to concentrate on the semifinal.”
Maldives’ coach Istvan Urbanyi said, “India keep on fighting till the end. They scored two late goals in the last two matches. It shows the quality of their side.”
At the Police Headquarters Ground, Koevermans demands quality stuff. “We are happy we have a bit of rest prior to the semifinal. There’s more energy in the squad at the moment,” he quipped.
“We don’t underestimate any team. They can. Let them,” pronounced young Alwyn George.
His India Under-22 team-mate Jeje Lalpekhlua added, “We are ready for the challenge. The coach has certain instructions for us. We will abide by that.”
Will Sunil be missed? Subrata Pal smiled again. “He is a great player! But there’s no point in crying. We have a strong bench and others stay ready to fill in the void”.
The born leader in Sunil, nevertheless, talked to everyone and cheered them up. “I know what we are capable of. It’s the semifinal and it’s another match, a different one,” he uttered.
You roam around in the camp and discover belief; you roam around in the camp and discover confidence, you roam around in the camp and discover teamwork. But now it counts to show all that in the match against the Maldives, even as back home in India the criticism of Wim Koevermans and his team is growing by the minute.
The kick-off against Maldives on Monday, September 9 is at 6.15 pm IST.
(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)
