New Delhi: Five-time champions India cannot take Afghanistan lightly in their opening game of the SAFF Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
India's new coach Savio Medeira knows what to expect from the teams in the regional championship, having come in to the tournament after a 0-5 thrashing by higher-ranked Zambia in an international friendly earlier in the week. Obviously, he refuses to see the 162nd-ranked India as favourites to retain the title.
Medeira remembers how India huffed and puffed to put it across Afghanistan in the AFC Challenge Cup in Hyderabad three years ago. They won 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time strike by Climax Lawrence. The Goan was then the assistant to British coach Bob Houghton.
Once again, Medeira said his team cannot afford to take it easy against Afghanistan, the lowest-ranked team (at 178th) in the eight-nation South Asian Football Federation tournament.
"Afghanistan are a capable side, the exuberance of youth standing out. The match should surely be a good challenge for us. They have been playing very well in the recent past. So, we need to be extra careful."
"The championship gives us the opportunity to further improve at the international level," he said.
Medeira can breathe easy as his two ace strikers Sunil Chettri and Jeje Lalpeklua are back after a six-day trial with Scottish giants Rangers. The duo missed the Zambia thrashing and arrived in Delhi only early on Friday, but will still play in the match.
"They are experienced players and I don't think their missing a practice session is cause for any concern for the team. They have played several matches together and share a great chemistry. I feel they will bring in a lot of experience to the team and their stint with Rangers will stand them in good stead," he said.
Asked about his side's chances, Medeira admitted it will be tough for India to retain the title.
"It will be tough and it depends on how the team plays on the match day. We have prepared ourselves to the best of our ability and the boys are going to give their 100 percent. That is important. We are confident we can beat Afghanistan, but we are not taking them lightly," Medeira said after team's training session at Ambedkar Stadium.
Afghanistan coach Mohammad Yusuf Kargar is no stranger to India. He was in charge of the team in the AFC Challenge Cup as well.
"We have a mix of youth and experience in the team and hopefully we will beat India 1-0 tomorrow," he said.
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