Goals from tournament fulfilled, asserts Stephen Constantine
Stephen Constantine has insisted that all goals from the Intercontinental Cup have been accomplished by reaching the final and the last aim of the team is to win the tournament. Constantine also added that they would not be taking anything for granted in the final game against Kenya on Sunday.
Beating Kenya 3-0 in the league match of the Intercontinental Cup, India secured the birth to the final of the tournament despite having a game to play. Before the tournament started coach Stephen Constantine had stated that his goal from the tournament would be to reach the final. Having reached the final, the Englishman said his goals from the tournament were fulfilled and the final target would be to lift the Trophy.
"Yes, obviously the ultimate is to win (the tournament), the second was to qualify for the final and the third one was to get up a group and in the process try and include as many young players as we possibly can," Constantine said as quoted by India Today.
"It has been my mantra in India and just about everywhere I have been. I believe in youth, young players. In the last three and half years, we have given 30 international debuts, 15 of those have proved to be descent players and we have an U23 side coming and 10-11 are in this squad."
Constantine also added that despite beating Kenya convincingly earlier in the group stage, he won’t be taking things for granted in the final on Sunday. Kenya romped into the final of the four-nation tournament after thrashing Chinese Taipei 4-0 in the last league game on Friday to set up the summit clash with hosts India.
"Look, what we did in the round-robin is done and dusted. When we go to the next game, you cannot take anything for granted and we will not take anything for granted," Constantine told reporters.
"Kenya showed yesterday (against Chinese Taipei), that they are capable, especially for (set-pieces), and we need to be very careful and we respect them. But we will try to win the game," he added.
Constantine, who had made as many as seven changes to India's starting line-up against New Zealand, also confirmed that the hosts would field a full strength side in the final.
"We will be at our full strength for this game (final). We have two central defenders who have been outstanding for us - Sandesh (Jhingan) and Anas, so that will help," he said.
Constantine felt that Indian players have the talent to play abroad. He pointed out that there are players in India who have the ability to play abroad and he would like to see them getting a stint abroad.
"Today we don't have an Indian player playing regularly outside India. That for me is something that I feel strongly about. I believe we have players in this country who can go out and play, I don't say in La Liga or in Premier League and I would like to see that happen," said the coach, who is having his second stint with India.
He also clarified that they were yet to get an official word on whether India would go to the Asian Games.
"Hopefully the snippets of news I am getting that the Olympic Committee and the government has decided to send, we have not received anything in writing, if that is the case, then I am thankful. It is a great move and it gives our boys added exposure, so that will be our next camp next month," he said.
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