“We have more options in Europe than the Indian players have here”.
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“I am someone who likes to shout and get players going on the field”, Riise said on Saturday. That’s when I had to sit them down and tell them that they should not take the shouting personally.
National football team captain and Mumbai FC City player Sunil Chhetri, however, said he had not experienced this aspect of Indian players.
With the buzz surrounding the tournament building, the eight ISL teams fielded three from each of them coach, marquee foreign player and an Indian player for a media interaction here with the likes of Nocolas Anelka, Florent Malouda, John Arne Riise, Marco Materazzi, Elano Blumer, Helder Postiga, Lucio, Adrian Mutu, Simao Sabrosa turning up.
Kerala Blasters coach and former England manager Peter Taylor also said that Indian players showed too much respect to him and other players. “First game against FC Goa will be tough I know and we are ready to deliver under pressure”, he said. I thought it is better for the foreign players to adjust and acclimatize to the conditions and we did not go overseas for pre-season training. “You should show confidence and you have to ask for balls from whoever player no matter how good he is”, said Taylor.
Sandesh Jhinghan has been hailed as one of the country’s top defensive prospects over the last couple of years.
Among the members of the triumphant 2014 squad left out include Mohammed Rafique, scorer of the winning goal in last year’s final after coming on as a substitute. “But in terms of strength and endurance, we are nowhere behind them”. I made changes of 13-14 players from previous year but I am happy that we had a very good preparation in Dubai in pre-season training.
One player who had caught Taylor’s eye much before he set foot on Indian soil is Sanchez Watt.
India striker Robin Singh, who was bought by Delhi in the players auction, said he is thrilled to represent his hometown and also play under Brazil legend Roberto Carlos.
“This is the first time I will be playing and also managing the club”. I love to take challenges and I hope I will help Indian football grow in world stage.
When questioned if it was a conscious decision to rope in more strikers, Anelka said, “Everyone knows we lacked goals last season and that was the reason we couldn’t finish higher”.
Then there is Zico as coach and I can not say no to him. I will try to give my best in the pitch and help Mumbai win the crown.
“I don’t think a footballer would have reached this level if he was afraid of making mistakes”.
“We have a lot of ambition”.
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All is not lost yet though as the rules say the four best runners-up across all groups will advance to the third round and Asian Cup. “I want to help them”.
