Overseas experience a bonus for Afghanistan: India coach
December 10th, 2011 - 8:25 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) India football coach Savio Medeira feels that the experience of Afghanistan’s eight overseas-based players will come handy for the team in the SAFF Cup football final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Sunday.
“They have some good players in the team, who have the experience of playing in overseas leagues. That will certainly stand them in good stead for Afghanistan in the final,” said Medeira.
Afghanistan’s Haroon Fakhrudin plays for I-League club Mumbai FC while Yousef Samy (Bay Area Ambassodors), Mohammad Yusef Mashriqi (Brishna FC) and Ahmad Arash Hatifie (Afghan Premier) play in different divisions in the US.
Sandjar Ahmadi (SC Vier-und Marschlande) and Ata Yamrali (TSV Sasel) ply their trade in Hamburg state league in Germany while Djalaludin Shariatyar (Ethnikos Achnas) plays in first division club in Cyprus.
The most experienced Belal Arezou is the leading striker of second division Norwegian club Asker. These players have played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s success in the tournament as the team gears up for its maiden final.
Medeira feels Afghanistan were the unexpected finalists.
“They are the unexpected finalists in the tournament. But they have played well and have improved with every game. Our boys are also ready and we will give our 100 percent,” he said.
The India coach also said that the SAFF Cup should be made an U-23 tournament.
“Given the hectic schedule that we have, I think the SAFF Cup should be made an under-23 tournament. It is being held in the midst of the I-League and puts a lot of pressure on the seniors. These players will immediately join the clubs from the national camp,” he said.
Afghanistan coach Mohammed Yusuf Kargar said his team was ready for their first maiden final.
“After our 1-1 draw with India in our first group match, we were sure that we have a chance of making the final. India are surely the favourites and Afghanistan are the underdogs,” he said.
Kargar said that winning the SAFF Cup would be a great gift for the strife-torn Afghanistan.
“The blasts in Kabul have sent a shockwave in the country. The SAFF Cup win will be great gift for Afghanistan,” he said.
- Lions of Khorasan are roaring again - Dec 11, 2011
- 'SAFF Cup for U-23 if seniors get 12 internationals' - Dec 12, 2011
- Climax was rested, not dropped: Savio - Feb 01, 2012
- Medeira blasts referee for denying penalty to India - Dec 03, 2011
- SAFF Cup: India gear up for a tough start against Afghanistan - Dec 02, 2011
- The 107 caps of Bhaichung Bhutia (Career statistics) - Aug 24, 2011
- SAFF Cup: Tough for India against Maldives in semifinal - Dec 08, 2011
- AIFF not to release Dempo's players for I-league derby - Dec 03, 2011
- SAFF Cup: India sans Sameer Naik in must-win match against Bhutan - Dec 04, 2011
- Cramped schedule not helping players, says Medeira - Dec 07, 2011
- Coach Medeira conveys home truths to AIFF - Jan 08, 2012
- Sunil Chettri to lead India in AFC Challenge Cup - Mar 05, 2012
- SAFF Cup: Pakistan coach and captain not on same wavelength - Dec 01, 2011
- Unceremoniously dropped, Climax retires from international football - Jan 31, 2012
- Its time to move on, says Bhaichung - Jan 09, 2012
Tags: ahmad, arash, arezou, belal, cup football, football coach, haroon, hectic schedule, jawaharlal nehru, jawaharlal nehru stadium, medeira, mohammad, mohammed yusuf, norwegian club, overseas experience, samy, savio, stead, underdogs, yousef