My biggest achievement is having built a squad for the next five to six years: Constantine
AT THE ONGOING NATIONAL CAMP held at Andheri, the national team coach took questions from the media. The team began preparation from May 20 for a friendly against Nepal and the 2019 Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyz Republic.
India, under Constantine India have climbed up to rank 100 in the latest FIFA ranking from a low of 173. Speaking on this feat, Constantine said there were things yet to be done and his focus was on qualifying for the Asian Cup and the if India did that the ranking would itself move up.
Briefing on the injuries of various players in the camp, Constantine shared,
On Sunil Chhetri:
“He has a hamstring problem is said to not being able to play for three to four weeks. He will join us on June 2 and we will assess his recovery and fitness then”
On Cavin Lobo,
“Not as much as for his injury but for the lack of game time he will not be part of the camp”
On keeper Subrata Paul,
“He too has a hamstring issue and again Subrata has not played a lot”
Constantine shared that a few players that have played for India in the past are shown the care by the team to give them the motivation to return to fitness and join the team back.
Federation Cup did not happen so the players would be more rested.
On the topic of injuries, Constantine said that it was something was they had to deal with and even said he was of the opinion that the Federation be held as a knockout tournament. Also shared that he would be happier if the Federation Cup did not happen so the players would be more rested.
“If you play three games in five days in 45 degrees, there will be a problem.”
There was a buzz around players of Indian origin being considered for the national team. On this the gaffer was rather was rather positive and said,
“Brazil, Germany and Italy are doing it. Why aren’t we?”
Continuing he even hinted having a couple of players being introduced in the squad said,
“We have four or five players that will walk into the national team and make us better overnight”
But on the contrary, the gaffer agreed that although the solution is not long term but there were a lot of things like scouting that needed to be got into place.
“About 50% of the players in the national team have been scouted through academies over two and half years”
Coach Constantine shared that the recent Under 22 national players were scouted through Santosh trophy, universities and colleges and something like this has never been done.
On the cancelled friendly that was scheduled against Lebanon and on picking Nepal, the NT coach explained,
“Uzbekistan would be the next best choice of opponent but they were not available and so was Turkmenistan. Nepal has always been a thorn in the India’s way and we needed games to play”
Sunil Chhetri would definitely miss the game against Nepal and if his leadership would be missed on the field, Constantine commented,
“There is going to be a moment where we will have to be without Sunil. So the decision whether to bench a player has to be backed with a reason. He might be benched to probably see him fit for another game you never know”
Sharing what he feels his biggest achievement in his time with India has been said was building a team that is going to around for the next five or six years.
On the strengths of Kyrgyz Republic, Constantine said they are physical in their game and will need to be watched out in their set plays.
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