SAFF Championship 2013: We will do the talking on the pitch – Subrata Pal

Indian goalkepeer Subrata Pal.

Maldives skipper Ali Ashfaq branded Wim Koevermans’s side as the worst Indian team that he has ever seen, but instead of replying to that before the game, India’s number one Subrata Pal wants his game to do the talking.

“Everybody has an opinion and he has given his but we will do the talking on the pitch. We are players and our job is to give 100 percent on the pitch so maybe after the game we can talk further,” Subrata told the media before Sunday’s training session.

Subrata, who has won three international trophies with the national team, is yet to win the SAFF Championship and the goalkeeper isn’t obsessed with that failure.

“For me playing football is the main motivation, so not winning one particular trophy doesn’t worry or motivate me.

“Now we are just looking forward to the semi-final, which usually is always the toughest game in any tournament,” the custodian said.

The 2009 AIFF Player of the Year admitted that the absence of the suspended Sunil Chhetri will be a factor in Monday’s semi-final but expects other players to step up.

“Sunil’s absence is definitely going to be a big factor because undoubtedly he is one of our best players and is highly experienced. But we can’t dwell much on unavailable players and I have full faith in the other players so whoever replaces Sunil will surely step up,” he said.

India have been unconvincing in the group stage but Subrata doesn’t believe his team have fared that badly and refuted claims that 2008 winners Maldives are the favourites.

“I don’t think we have played that badly. I believe only our negatives have been highlighted but we have played some good stuff too and the only problem has been the missed chances.

“In the SAFF Championship, India is always one of the favourites but every match is a new challenge, so we will start fresh and look to give a strong performance in the semi-final,” he concluded.