The England-born coach wanted his boys to ‘start afresh’ in their title bid. “We have to start afresh and we’re ready to do so. We’re in a good shape and looking to finish off the job in a positive note,” Constantine said on the eve of the game on Wednesday.
The kind of form they are in, India can boast of being favourites ahead of their second and last league game of the Tri-Nation Series against St Kitts and Nevis at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Thursday.
Having fought back to beat Mauritius 2-1 in their opening tie of the tourney, Stephan Constantine’s Blue Tigers are high on confidence, but the coach isn’t someone who is taking their opponents lightly despite the fact that the Sandesh Jhingan-led side will be playing on home soil.
The England-born coach wanted his boys to ‘start afresh’ in their title bid. “We have to start afresh and we’re ready to do so. We’re in a good shape and looking to finish off the job in a positive note,” Constantine said on the eve of the game on Wednesday.
In the game against Mauritius, the visitors started off well and gave a good scare to the Indians before the hosts bounced back to net successive goals and win.
“We were slow starters against Mauritius and we cannot afford to do that in every match,” he said. Constantine has experimented in the series by fielding some youngsters in the absence of seniors and it has been successful.
However, he cautioned his team about their next opponents, who had held Mauritius to a 1-1 draw.
“They have the potential and they proved it yesterday (Tuesday). Coming back from one-goal deficit is not very easy but they did it. We have to be at our very best. They are very dangerous on the counter attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, the stand-in captain Jhinghan is enjoying his stint in absence of Sunil Chhetri. “Representing the national team itself is an honour. This armband is a bonus and it has come to me with a great responsibility. Sunil Bhaiya is our real leader but until he’s not there, I’m enjoying the role,” Jhinghan said.
St Kitts are aware of how the hosts have improved in the last few years. Their coach Jacques Passy said: “The Indian national team has improved dramatically in the last two years. Their strikers are very sharp,” said Passy.
Playing today (Live on Star Sports 1): 8 pm
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