KATHMANDU: India football captain Sunil Chettri said on Tuesday that it will be tough for the 2008 champions in the AFC Challenge Cup since they have been placed in the Group of Death.
India, ranked 154th in the FIFA rankings, have been placed alongside with 2010 World Cuppers North Korea (106th), Tajikistan (140th) and the Philippines (156th). India start their campaign on Friday against Tajikistan.
Chettri said the team has to take one match at a time.
“You can never bask on past laurels. We have been drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ and can’t afford to take any of the teams lightly. Every match is a new match and we need to take one match at a time. We need to play as a cohesive unit against Tajikistan,” he said.
Coach Savio Medeira has been in charge of a new-look team without some of the stalwarts of Indian football and Chhetri said the younger lot are settling down with the team.
“The Camp (in Dubai) was very useful indeed. It helped all of us — be it juniors or seniors. Now we have a clear idea as to what the coach wants. The juniors are slowly settling down and picking up the technical aspects, which one needs to possess to play at the highest level,” said Chhetri.
Chhetri, who scored a hat-trict to help India win the 2008 edition of the AFC Challenge Cup, said he was honoured to be leading the side in such an important tournament.
“It’s an honour and a huge responsibility at the same time. The captain’s armband makes me feel privileged. Obviously I stay the same person as before. And it’s not only me but all the senior players are always there to guide the younger lot.
“The team is passing through a transitional phase. The senior players who used to act as our mentors have retired. Bhaichung Bhutia, Rennedy Singh, Deepak Mondal went out of their way to help the juniors. We need to carry on the legacy for the benefit of Indian football,” he said. (PTI)