The picturesque beaches, the music and the sea-food just tempts everyone visiting the Caribbean islands to wish they could stay here forever. But even as a tourist can afford to pray for that, footballers can’t — especially if they are on a mission.
Team India coached by Armando Colaco aren’t that lucky to bask lazily under the sun and shake a leg to the music. For them practice sessions are more important. A day prior to India’s International Friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in the +One India Caribbean Tour scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Port of Spain, Armando stressed on the importance of playing stronger opponents. “Trinidad and Tobago are a very strong side and are currently coached by Otto Pfister. We need to remember they even played in the World Cup,” he said.
“We are the underdogs but the boys will definitely enjoy playing with them. They are stronger opponents and we intend to take something out of it,” he added.
One can’t question Armando’s view. The disparity in FIFA rankings further tells you the real picture. Trinidad & Tobago stay at 88, 65 places above India who are presently ranked at 153.
“I always said the more you play with quality foreign sides, the better. These two Friendlies will definitely help us a long way. It’s our chance to learn and we need to grab them,” Armando went on.
“The entire squad is eagerly looking forward to the match. The High Commissioner of Indian Consulate is in constant touch with us.”
The boys have been practicing hard under Armando for the past few days. Practice sessions range from beach volleyball to special drills to match practice.
During a Practice session
Striker Sunil Chhetri, who is due to receive the Arjuna Award in the last week of August maintained, “everyone is raring to go.”
“The practice sessions are fun and we have certain plans which we intend to execute on the field.”
The kick-off is 5pm on August 21 (IST: 2.30am on August 22, 2011).
FROM THE RECORD BOOKS:
This isn’t the first time Team India is travelling on a Tour to Caribbean. The National Team, then being coached by Arun Ghosh, had earlier travelled to Caribbean in 1984 to play series of matches under the Captaincy of the Late Sudip Chatterjee.
Match 1 (Port-of-Spain):
India 3 (Ravi Bhusan, Babu Mani, Pradip Ghosh)
Beat
Trinidad & Tobago 1.
Match 2 (Port-of-Spain):
Trinidad & Tobago 3
Beat
India 0
Match 3 (Port-of-Spain):
Trinidad & Tobago 3
Beat
India 0
Match 4:
Surinam 6
Beat
India 2 (Parminder Singh, Asokan)
Match 5:
Surinam 4
Beat
India 1 (Ravi Bhusan)
Match 6 (Georgetown):
Guyana 3
Beat
India 0
This apart, in 2002, Stephen Constantine-coached India played two Friendlies against Jamaica in England.
Match 1 (Watford – August 29, 2002):
Jamaica 3
Beat
India 0
Match 2 (Wolverhampton – September 1, 2002):
India 0
d/w
Jamaica 0
Stats: Courtsey Gautam Roy.
