Indian coach Stephen Constantine dismisses importance of SAFF Championship
Stephen Constantine dismissed the importance of the SAFF Championship while speaking with the media after the India’s 0-0 draw against Nepal in Pune. The Indian National team coach was bombarded with plenty of questions and opinions about his side’s stale showing against their lowly neighbours, and answered to them while also using the opportunity to make some critical statements about the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).
When asked about the SAFF Championship to be held in Kerala in December and whether he was looking forward to the draw of the competition, the British-Cypriot didn’t show much enthusiasm but admitted that he will use the opportunity to develop the some of the youth level national team players.
“No. For us, the SAFF Cup is not as important as it used to be." he said, as quoted on Goal. “If it was my choice, I would put U-19 team for SAFF. We want to develop our young National teams. We went to two finals from the competition in the last week. The U-19 team had 9 players under-17. Four of them played very well. Both games we lost on penalties. The players would have developed themselves and for sure they’d have learnt. They’ll be better by the U-23 stage."
Constantine also added that he wouldn’t be able to select Indian players who qualify for the semi-finals of the Indian Super League as the competition comes to a conclusion on December 20th. With the SAFF tournament beginning just three days later, the 52-year-old criticised the Federation for being unable to place the competition in June despite his insistence on it after India's World Cup qualifier against Guam.
“Problem with SAFF is its timing. I had asked for it to be made in June, after the Guam game. We had the boys together. December 20th is the final of the ISL. So I won’t be able to choose from the four teams that make the semi-finals of the competition. I have to decide when I can start the camp. SAFF starts on December 23rd and for me, it defies logic."
Eugeneson optimistic about team’s chances against Iran
Bengaluru FC midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh seemed very disappointed when gave his views about India's goal-less draw against Nepal in an interview with Goal. The 28-year-old urged his everyone at his team to pull up their socks and start converting their chances, which is the only way they can win games and gain confidence along the way.
"I think we could have done better. We had opportunities which we should have converted and maybe we would have got the confidence to score more goals. It was the kind of game where we should have scored."
The Shillong native seemed enthusiastic about India’s chances against Iran in the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier against Iran, and has his eyes set on giving a good fight to a team that is ranked 115 places above them in the latest FIFA rankings.
"Personally I am ready. I am hoping that as a team we can be ready by next week. In football anything can happen, like the Nepal game was disappointing. I hope we can get over it quickly and give a good fight against Iran," he mentioned.