SAFF Championship 2013: India are dangerous in the air – Maldives coach Itsvan Urbanyi

Ashfaq Ali of Maldives (No.7)

Maldives skipper Ali Ashfaq might have branded Wim Koevermans’s side as the weakest of all India teams that he has seen but head coach Istvan Urbanyi doesn’t agree and was full of respect for his semi-final opponents before Sunday’s training session.

“If he (Ashfaq) said that then it’s his opinion but for me there is no strongest or weakest team. India are one of the strongest teams in this tournament and are good enough to win the semi-final and the competition,” Urbanyi stated.

Sunil Chhetri’s absence will be a big blow for India and Urbanyi admitted that but instead of focusing on individuals, the former Hungary international pointed out the strengths of the India team.

“Of course Sunil’s absence makes a difference because he is a very good player so if India misses him it’s a loss for them. However we are not focusing on any particular player.

“India have an organised way of playing and we have to prepare well for the high balls because they are dangerous in the air. India certainly have an advantage in that department,” he said.

Urbanyi refuted claims that India are lucky to be in the semi-finals but took a swipe at their playing style.

“I watched all of India’s games; they are clearly a strong team. I don’t think scoring late goals twice is about luck. It shows the quality of a team and their ability to keep fighting till the end. Even against Nepal they were stronger but conceded twice.

“We have a different style of play now and unlike India don’t play high balls for the sake of it but we are still getting used to the new style,” Urbanyi opined.

Urbanyi was in charge of Maldives when they lost to India U-23s in the 2009 final and in 2011 when they were beaten in the semis by the India senior team. He admitted that those defeats could act as a motivation but for now he is focusing on Monday’s semi-final.

“We can use the 2011 semi-final and even the 2009 final as a motivation but that is history now and so is the group stage. We have scored 18 goals in the group stage also so it’s good for confidence but even that is in the past now. We have to focus on the present now and have to prepare ourselves for India,” he concluded.