NEW DELHI: You gaze through the Indian squad of 20 for the South Asian Games and switch to discovery mode. There are three U-19 Players in the squad, more Players from 2nd Division, and even more who are not regular starters in their respective Hero I-League Clubs.
“Most of the Players are fit but not match fit,” head coach Lee Johnson stresses. “International Football is played at a much higher intensity,” he smiles.
“With such a squad is it a miracle that India are in the final,” you ask.
“It was very challenging. Players came at different times. They had their I-League fixtures and we didn’t have the full squad at our disposal till two days before the first game,” Johnson says.
‘So how did you manage to stitch all together? That too, in such a short span?’
“If you train at high intensity, you will play at high intensity. That was one of our options, and we tried it. None of it would have been possible without the support of the medical staff. They have just been brilliant and having Danny (Deigan) and Ramos (Rogerio) on board have also been a huge benefit.”
And as you wait for your lift in the Team Hotel and peep down, you find Danny and the Medical staff coordinating the ice-bath by the pool-side.
None can deny that making it to two Finals in two consecutive months or rather in two consecutive Tournaments have been quite a turnaround. You flip through the stats and discover more -- that India have won seven of their last eight International matches.
“Of the three U-19 Players, Jerry and Zuala were scouted by our scouting network. We spotted them playing in the U-18 I-League last year and from there, they are here. We also have a number of 2nd division Players that have been included in the squad. We are progressing,” Johnson states.
“I always tell my boys that hard work beats talent and talent doesn’t work hard. You cover the distance, that’s a minimal requirement which one needs to have to play the game,” he quips.
The afternoon session which was all fun based. “It has been physically demanding. Hence, we went for a fun session as it helps to relieve the stress,” Johnson talks to the gathered Media persons.
“Nepal are a very fit side. They had an inspirational victory against Maldives and will come hard at us. The win will keep them motivated. Such sides are always very dangerous,” Johnson informs.
“We had a look at them and have some very good individual Players in their ranks. They will be competitive and we respect them. I am aware about the fighting instincts of the Nepali people.”
In fact, it’s a double Nepali challenge for Indian Football with the Indian Women’s Team also slated to meet Nepal in the Final of the Women’s Championship in Shillong.
Support poured in from the Indian Women’s Team and the boys thank their women counterparts in unison.
The legendary Bembem Devi who is an “inspiration for all” wished the Team success. “It will be a win for Indian Football if both the Men’s and Women’s Team win the Gold Medal. All the best boys! The Nation looks up to you for the win,” she wished the Men’s U-23 Team.
Many of the boys are fans of Bembem’s and keep a close tab on exploits of the Women’s Team. Sandesh Jhingan admitted: “Bembem is an inspiration to all of us.”
The 2015 AIFF Women’s Player of the Year Bala Devi said: “We showed against Bangladesh what we can do. We now play Nepal in the Final. Best wishes.”
For the record, the U-23 Men had lost to Sri Lanka in their first match before scripting two victories in the next two to progress to the Final.
“For us it’s about realising the potential of a certain Player and then providing him the platform. The boys have displayed exemplary character to bounce back after the first game loss. The Players realized that they let themselves down and everyone is sticking together. We need to do it on the field tomorrow (February 15).
The kick-off on February 15 is at 7pm.
AIFF Media
