Wed, Jul 2 12:50 AM
GRAPPLING WITH injuries, Steven Dias, N.S. Manju and Sandeep Nandi run the risk of being ruled out of the AFC Challenge Cup if they don't recover by the July 22 warm-up match against Malaysia. "Steven and Sandeep are getting better but if they don't recover by the July 22 match there could be a problem," said national coach Bob Houghton.
"Manju's injury is also a worry,"he added. Asked if the two players stood a chance of being considered if they did not make it to the squad for the July 22 game, Houghton replied in the negative.
Houghton rates the unassuming Dias highly and his exploits in the Nehru Cup last year are still fresh on the Briton's mind. "You remember his showing here last year? He was outstanding," the coach recalled.
Asked to comment on his injury, Dias said, "I'm trying my best and would love to make a comeback as soon as possible. But it cannot be forced.
" Dias' name in the XI lends stability to the left wing but the player was as modest as ever."I just try to follow what our coach wants of me and I think I have been able to do that," he said.
Even as the team grapples with injuries, Houghton is looking at July 22 as a platform for the injured players, especially Dias and Nandi, to stage a comeback. The team will be leaving for an exposure trip to Portugal on Wednesday and the July 22 match, after their two week-stay in Portugal, will be the last practice game, before the AFC Challenge Cup kicks off in Hyderabad eight days later.
The practice matches in Portugal and the July 22 warm-up assume significance as they would not only give Houghton an insight into the team's preparedness, but, more importantly, would help in assessing the injured players. "We will monitor how the players are covering in Portugal and I hope most of them will be fine by the time the AFC Challenge Cup starts," Houghton said.
Even though the injuries to Dias and Nandi are taking long to heal, "Rennedy's (Singh) recovery will be quicker than them", he said. The experienced midfielder hasn't seen much action over the past year, thanks to a problematic calf-muscle, and his presence will certainly bolster the midfield.
If you are young, have a hectic social life where you drink and party, and have applied for a job, chances are you will lose out to someone who is a teetotaler.
| Copyright © Yahoo Web Services India Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved. Questions or Comments Privacy Policy -Terms of Service - Copyright Notice |
