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ShareIt hasn't been often that an Indian footballer evokes such anticipation with the ball at his feet. Sinewy winger Steven Dias engineered many wins for India with his breathless runs down the flank and pinpoint crosses. In a candid chat with DNA, the Mahindra United player reveals that coach Bob Houghton is the man responsible for the improved India XI...
How has it been working with coach Bob Houghton?
He is the best coach I have ever worked under. He has made such a huge difference to the team. He is a magician for me. He knows what he wants from us. Each player in the team knows what is expected of him. For every match, he has a different strategy. He makes us practise the set pieces a lot. His thinking is that in football matches around the world more than half the goals are scored through corners or free kicks. He is a master tactician.
What is his biggest contribution to the team?
He has instilled self-belief in us. He has made us believe that we can win, no matter who the opposition. Earlier, our thinking was 'let's try and reduce the number of goals that opposition score against us.' We would go into the match thinking it's a lost game already. But that's not the case any longer. We all feel that we can win against any team. That has really helped our performances. And our coach Houghton has a huge part to play in it.
Houghton says that on home grounds India can beat giants like Japan and South Korea...
Of course, it is possible. The conditions that we play our football in are very trying. There is so much humidity, grounds aren't that great either. I don't think any top class teams play in such conditions. Besides, we feel good as a team now. When the mindset is right, it's half the battle won, isn't it?
Is this the best team you have played in?
Yes. This team has the right mix I think. Most of us are in similar age group, with a few seniors. We gel really well together. There's a lot of team spirit and unity. And, we are all enjoying playing football together. Plus, we are winning. So that always helps.
You have improved by leaps and bounds as a player in the last four years. What has made the difference?
I worked hard on my fitness. Initially, I was very lean. I worked on putting on body mass. Besides, I love playing football. Under Houghton, I think I have become a better player. What to do in what particular situation, everything is thought-out and planned. Of course, there's scope for improvisation but I feel better prepared every time I step on to the field.
Any development on your chances of playing abroad?
My agent is working on a few things. This season I have a contract with Mahindra United. So I will be in Mumbai. But I am looking to try my luck outside. Currently, my agent is looking at clubs in Sweden, Denmark and Belgium. I think it's important that Indian players explore avenues abroad. It will help our game and tell us where we stand, along with the areas we need to improve on.
Your relationship with Mahindra United isn't as cordial as it used to be after the controversy regarding East Bengal? How are things as they stand?
It's ok at the moment. After the Nehru Cup, I am going to go back and will play for them in the IFA Shield and Durand Cup. David Booth is back as the coach. He was my first coach at Mahindra, so I have a good rapport with him. But I am definitely going to leave the club next year after the experience I had with them. They had promised to relieve me if I had a better offer, which I did from East Bengal. They went back on their word. I felt cheated and the AIFF's Player Status Committee also didn't come to my aide. In the end, Mahindra asked me to pay Rs1,80,000 as fine. That's a huge sum. One lesson I have learnt from all this is to never to take anyone's word, no matter what your relationship with the person. Always have something in writing.
Lastly, what do you make of India's chances in the Nehru Cup final?
I think we can win it. The whole team is full of confidence. We beat Syria in 2007, to win the trophy. I am confident that we can beat them again. We started out badly against Lebanon. It was probably because of their world ranking. They are much higher ranked than us so we took a lot of pressure on ourselves. But since then we have played well to finally book our place in the final.
