Stephen Constantine: Mehtab Hossain does not have the necessary speed anymore
National team manager Stephen Constantine has said that his target is not to just win immediate matches but to build a team for the future. Following India’s two defeats in the first two games of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Constantine has been criticised by the media and fans alike.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Constantine said, “I can't say at the moment how many matches I will win in the group and where exactly I will finish. But my target is to build a team for the future and I will achieve it in due time. ”
Constantine said he would require time to create something lasting and the process would not be completed overnight.
“You can't become a beautiful swan overnight. I had around 30 players in the squad in the last four games. Before this, we relied only on players who have been playing for seven or eight years. The choice before us was to continue with the old guard or to build a team for the future. I chose the second,” added the coach.
Constantine has faith in the squad he has selected
When asked if he regretted not selecting midfielder Mehtab Hossain in the squad, Constantine replied, “Mehtab is a terrific player, no question about that. But he has not been able to get around lately. He committed too many fouls in the I-League. He does it because he does not have the necessary speed anymore.”
Jackichand Singh and Eugeneson Lyngdoh were two players who lit up the I-League this year with standout performances, but have not been able to impact the National team yet. Jackichand, who won the I-League Player of the Year has been ineffective in his performances for the National team while Lyngdoh and Sehnaj Singh were both taken off at half-time in the Guam match.
Constantine, however, defended the new players stating, “Jackichand played well this season. He has been given the opportunity. It remains to be seen whether he can take the pressure of international football.”
“One of them (Lyngdoh) was the best midfielder in the I-League. The other, Sehnaj Singh, played a crucial role in Mohun Bagan's triumph. They could not play well that day against Guam, but I have full faith in them," said Constantine.
India will take on the top-ranked Asian team, Iran, next, on the 8th of September to keep the dream of Russia 2018 alive.