Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS) India football coach Savio Medeira said Thursday that five-time champions are not the favourites to retain the SAFF Cup that starts here Friday.

India were thrashed 0-5 in an international friendly with Zambia Tuesday in Goa, and Medeira said playing a highly-ranked team ahead of the eight-nation tournament did not help the morale of the team.

“The match was scheduled before I took over. It didn’t help the morale of the team. It was not the right way to come into a tournament where we are the title-holders. It would have been better if we had teams ranked just above us. The boys are tired as well. I don’t think in any way we are the favourites to retain the title,” Medeira said at a media briefing.

“Every team playing here (SAFF Cup) would try to play their best against the defending champions. We need to stay alert and perform to our best if we are to defend the title. There’s no room for complacency,” he said.

Medeira, however, hoped that the young Indian team would put up a better show at home.

“The match against Zambia was tough and it has toughened the boys. Our chances depend on how we play in the match on that given day. We have a mix of youth and experience in the team. Lot of experienced players dropped after the Asian Cup. It also gives an opportunity to the youngsters to prove themselves in the team,” he said.

Medeira, an assistant who was promoted as the chief coach in October, hoped that strikers Sunil Chettri and Jeje Lalpeklua will add an edge to the team. The duo missed the Zambia tie as they were on trials to Scottish giants Rangers. They will join the team Thursday night.

“Their addition will obviously help the team. They are fresh from a training stint with the Rangers and it will stand in good stead for them,” he said.

The Goan, however, felt that the striking duo will find it tough to impress the Rangers.

“It will surely be tough. The climatic conditions are different. It is freezing cold in Scotland and both Chettri and Jeje would have needed some time to acclimatise. Ideally, they should have asked scouts from Rangers to come down and watch them play in India. But I’m sure, they will come back confident and will inspire the team,” he said.