SAFF SUZUKI CUP FOOTBALL- INDIA 2015-16.


The 2015 SAFF Championship (officially known as the 2015 SAFF Suzuki Cup for sponsorship reasons) will be the 11th edition of the SAFF Championship, the biennial international men's football championship of South Asia organized by SAFF. It is scheduled to be held in India from 23 December 2015 to 3 January 2016. Afghanistan are the defending champions of the tournament. The tournament will be broadcasted live in India on STAR Sports 4
 
The participating nations (Pakistan not participating).
 
 Country 	App   Previous           FIFA Rank
 India (Host) 	11th  Champions
                      (1993,1997
                      1999,2005 
                      2009,2011) 	166
 Afghanistan 	8th   Champions (2013) 	150
 Bangladesh 	10th  Champions (2003) 	182
 Bhutan 	7th   SF        (2008)  188
 Maldives 	9th   Champions (2008) 	160
 Nepal 	        11th  3rd place (1993) 	192
 Sri Lanka 	11th  Champions (1995) 	194

 Hard to judge Players from one session : Constantine 

 22.12.2015 - AIFF PRESS RELEASE  : National Coach Stephen Constantine stressed on his vision of building a Team for future," in the Official pre-Tournament Media Interaction in Trivandrum on Tuesday (December 22). Our squad is about the younger Players. I am trying to build a Team for the future,” he said on the occasion.

"It's always nice to play in your own Country. But the irony is that we haven't been able to have 11v11 games prior to this morning despite having summoned a Preparatory Camp since December 10," he added.The Indian Team had a practice session in the morning. "Though we had called for Players in the Camp earlier in an effort to prepare better for the SAFF Suzuki Cup, the strength in the Camp wasn't enough to prepare. At a time we were reduced to just 14 Players and there was no way we could conduct our practice properly".

Referring to a question of how he gauged the morning session, Constantine replied that "it's hard to judge Players from just one session."All the Players summoned reported to the Camp latest by yesterday (December 21) evening except the duo of Romeo Fernandes and Mandhar Rao Desai. "We were expecting them in the Camp but they didn't turn up," Constantine echoed.

For the record, Constantine had earlier released an injured Sandesh Jhingan, Cavin Lobo and Seityasen Singh from the Camp in Kochi."I just don't care as to who plays where. If you are good, you will find a way into my squad. That has always been my philosophy and it will always be the same. I have never gone by the names and the Clubs you play for and will not do so ever," Constantine maintained.
 
"If you look at the squad, we have a couple (K. Zain and Arjun Tudu) from the Army and another Player (Kaushik Sarkar) from SAI, Kolkata," he informed at the Media Interaction. Apart from them, Daniel Lalhimpuia, Udanta Singh and Alwyn George (all non ISL Players) were also summoned for the Camp but Constantine regretted that he “couldn’t have a look at them as they didn’t turn up."

The trio has been products of AIFF Youth Development over the years and Daniel, was in fact, the Captain of the India U-19 National Team in the AFC U-19 Qualifiers earlier this season."I have my scouting system in place and will try to bring in as many new faces into the system,” Constantine stated.In any case, another 18-year old Lallianzuala, part of the present squad said it has been an "unbelievable experience" for him.

"It's a life time opportunity for me. The Coach has given me an opportunity and I am trying to do my best and learn as much as possible. When you look around I see my heroes playing with me. I am getting richer in experience," he spoke at the Official Media Interaction. "These young ones keep us on our toes all the time," quipped Chhetri, who sat next. India who have been clubbed in Group A with Nepal and Sri Lanka play their first match against Sri Lanka on December 25, 2015.

 
INDIA TEAM NEWS : PLAYERS FROM STATE LEAGUE SUMMONED FOR NATIONAL CAMP

 05.12.2015 - AIFF PRESS RELEASE  : National Coach Stephen Constantine has announced his list of 40 Probables for the forthcoming SAFF Suzuki Cup which is to be held in Trivandrum. The initial list of 28 Probables would be assembling at a Preparatory Camp in Kochi on December 9, 2015 with practice commencing from next day.

Keeping in tune with his vision of selecting a Pan-Indian squad, Constantine's selected 40 Probables includes Players from the Local Leagues, Players who are not part of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League and even members from AIFF U-19 Elite Academy.

This is perhaps the first time in recent times where three Players who haven't ever even donned a jersey for any I-League Club have been summoned for the Camp - two of them having played for Army XI while the other, a present Calcutta University Student had played for SAI in the Kolkata Premier League.

india team coach Constantine said: "We have selected a squad which encompasses all of Indian Football – right from State Leagues, U-19 Academy Players, Players from I-League and the ISL. We are building a Team for the future. In my first Press Conference in New Delhi, I had mentioned that we will be keeping a tab on all Football Players who play beyond the I-League and the ISL. We are trying to expand our pool of Players," he added.
 
"28 players will join us initially. With the ISL going on, it gives us an opportunity to call up those Players that we would not have been able to work with. It's not bad the way it’s worked out," he stated. Constantine also thanked All India Football Federation for “allowing” him to work with the Players in the Camp.

“Having the time to spend with the Players is extremely helpful. I am thankful to All India Football Federation for allowing me this length of Camp. It's much appreciated,” he mentioned. "We have 12-14 days to prepare which is very good, the level of fitness is not there and we need to work on that front."
 
 The list of 40 Probables stay as follows  :

 GOALKEEPERS : Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Karanjit Singh, Laxmikant Kattimani, Amrinder Singh. 

 DEFENDERS : Aiborlang Khongjee, Lalchhuanmawia, Sandesh Jhingan, Koushik Sarkar (SAI, Kolkata), Robin Gurung, Arnab Mondal, Augustine Fernadnes, Rino Anto, Narayan Das, Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika.

 MIDFIELDERS : Lallianzuala Chhangte (AIFF U-19 Academy), Jain Punchakadan (Army XI), Alwyn George, Rowin Borges (both non ISL Players), Cavin Lobo, Sanju Pradhan, Irom Seityasen Singh, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Francisco Fernandes, Mohammed Rafique, Bikash Jairu, Pronoy Halder, Romeo Fernandes, Sehnaj Singh. 

 FORWARDS : Daniel Lalramzuava (AIFF U-19 Academy), Arjun Tudu (Army XI), Sunil Chhetri, Holicharan Narzary, Udanta Singh, Robin Singh, Jeje Lalpeklhua, Haokip, Sumeet Passi.

Group A
SL  Team	M  W  D  L  GF 	GA  GD 	PTS 
1   India 	2  2  0  0  6 	1   +5 	6 	 
2   Sri Lanka 	2  1  0  1  1 	2   -1 	3   
3   Nepal 	2  0  0  2  1 	5   -4 	0	

Group B 
SL  Team	M  W  D  L  GF 	GA  GD 	PTS 
1   Afghanistan 3  3  0  0  11 	1   +10 9 	 
2   Maldives 	3  2  0  1  7 	6   +1 	6 	
3   Bangladesh 	3  1  0  2  4 	7   -3 	3   
4   Bhutan 	3  0  0  3  1 	9   -8 	0

 26.12.2015: AIFF PRESS RELEASE   : A brick in the solid wall of the Indian defence line, Central Defender Arnab Mondal touted India’s clash against Nepal on December 27, 2015 at the Trivandrum International Stadium in Kerala as a “test of credentials for the Indian squad.”

 

Speaking with journalists, Arnab explained the gravity of the fixture. “Nepal are a tough Team and we will have to be on our toes throughout the match if we are to get a positive result.”

 

“They (Nepal) are very hard to break down, their forwards are speedy and tricky to handle. We have to remain switched-on at all time.”India have garnered only one win in the last three fixtures against Nepal and have drawn the other two. “Although it seems to be tougher fixture than Sri Lanka, we will play our game and will play for three points.”

“You don’t need motivation to play for India. It is already an honor to represent the Nation and when a Player plays in a particular match, he does not play to lose,” he added. 

The Indian National Team, gearing for their clash against Nepal had a recovery session at the renowned Kovalam Beach in Kerala earlier in the morning. “The “change of environment helps the Players to relax,” Mondal opined.
“The change in environment has been beneficial for us as swimming helps a lot in recovery. All credit goes to the Coach for it.”

Reflecting on India’s 2-0 win against Sri Lanka in the opening fixture of the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015, Arnab said: “The opening fixture of every Tournament is difficult and given that Sri Lanka played with men behind the ball, it became all the more difficult for us.”It was two Robin Singh goals in the 51st and the 74th minute which led India to their first win of the Tournament. And Arnab wasn’t a miser to lavish praise on Robin.

 “Robin (Singh) is a brilliant Striker and knows how to shield the ball. The best part stays that the Coach is working on getting able replacements in every position.”Lauding Constantine’s approach to the ‘beautiful game’ that includes building a ‘Team for the future,’ which was evident as an 18 year old Lallianzuala became the youngest Player to make his debut for the Indian National Team, Arnab quipped: “Coach’s (Constantine) approach to the game is fascinating.”
 
“He is not only building a Team for the future, but giving young Players a chance to showcase their skills. As a Player, it can’t be more encouraging.”Arnab also asked all not to go gaga on Lallianzuala. “As for Lallianzuala he is a hardworking Player and has the quality to become top-class. However, one should not expect immediate results from him as he is still learning. He needs time. I request all to be patient.”





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 Lankan challenge for India on Christmas Day 

 24.12.2015: AIFF PRESS RELEASE   : "Look at his face. He looks a schoolboy," uttered Sunil Chhetri pointing to Lallrinzuala. "He reminds me of Bhaichung-bhai when he first came in," Chhetri adds. Zuala, just 18, smiles.


"Who's your idol-Jerry Zirsanga or Mama (Shylo Malsawmtulanga)?" Chhetri carries on the conversation."Yourself," Zuala points his finger at Chhetri. This time Chhetri seems a bit embarrassed; but quips back : "Who are your other favourite Players?" Lalrindika Ralte," Zuala informs. The conversation thereafter revolves around Football in Mizoram and the quality Football which Mama has played over the years.

SAFF - SAF HEAD 2 HEAD

25.10.1989 : Sri Lanka v India	W 1-2	SAF Games
16.07.1993 : India v Sri Lanka	W 2-0	SAF Regional Tournament
13.12.1993 : India v Sri Lanka	W 2-0	SAF Games 
28.01.2002 : India v Sri Lanka	D 0-0	SAFF Cup
14.01.2003 : India v Sri Lanka	D 1-1	SAFF Cup 

At the practice session, another Mizo – the irrepressible Jeje Lalpekhlua is the first one to hit the ground. The others follow. Pritam Kotal, Narayan Das, Rowlin Borges, Pronay Halder, Holicharan Narzary, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Kaushik Sarkar, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Sumit Passi are all below 23. When did India last have it for a Senior Team? Ever?


Post morning practice, the journalists gather around the National Coach. "When I took over I had to make a choice - either to continue with the tried and tested whose average age was around 30, or to rebuild the squad. I opted for the second despite being aware that it won’t deliver you immediate results," Constantine waves his hand.


"We have lost Sandesh (Jhingan who's also an U-23 Player), Lobo (Cavin) and Seityasen Singh. Anas pulled a hamstring and we had to release him too. Besides, there are a number of guys whom we need to be careful with," Constantine states.


“I could have easily played Jhingan and Lobo. They could have played in this Tournament and their presence would have certainly strengthened my squad. But if I played them here they would have missed the next six months,” this time Constantine shakes his head.


In the Footballing World, the true definition of a Coach stays in protecting his Players and not exploiting them for short term results, any sensible one will reiterate umpteenth times.After the initial silence, someone queried: “What’s your opinion about Sri Lanka?”


“They play a defensive formation and will hit us on the counter attacks. They have some decent Players and work extremely hard. There are no easy games for us - in fact, against anybody. I expect Sri Lanka to give everything they have. We have to be patient and see what happens,” the Coach uttered in one breath.


Even as the boys worked on the set plays, the tireless Goalkeeping Coach Rogerio Ramos, who it seems can stay on the field for more than 24 hours worked ruthlessly with his Keepers. The best part stays that his Keepers wait for his ruthlessness. They know, it makes them better – they die for it.


Referring to a question whether Subrata (Paul) can push Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu and retain his position under the citadel, Constantine hits back hard. “If Subrata didn’t have a chance he won’t have been here. I have never had any attachment for Players of what they have done in the past,” he states sternly.


“It’s all about NOW,” this time his voice echoes in the large room. Everyone needs to be the type of Player which suits the National Team.” The Sun by 9am is quite scorching despite it being December. Even as a cold shower stays the best thing after the session at around 35 degrees, the Players go and sit out in the ice bath.


Forget the snow and the Reindeers but nevertheless the heat doesn’t stop the smiles of the innumerable Santa Clauses smiling from over a hundred hoardings all over in the City. All of a sudden you remember the cakes, the wines and the turkeys and start pitying the Players. They still shiver in the cold ice bath.