Dear colleagues,
Please find below the *preview report for tomorrow’s (January 4, 2016) SAFF Women’s Championship final match between India and Bangladesh.* Quotes from Head Coaches – Sajid Dar (India) and Golam Robbani Choton (Bangladesh) have been incorporated into the report along with quotes from Indian Team captain Bala Devi. Also find below *an interview with Indian Head Coach Sajid Dar* where he speaks about not getting complacent, potential of the Team, strengths of Bangladesh, a ‘special’ 17-year old and a lot more. *Also find attached six pictures from India’s morning recovery session in Siliguri* For all other updates and all news and exclusive pictures please follow our Official Twitter Handle @IndianFootball at *https://twitter.com/IndianFootball* <https://twitter.com/IndianFootball> Also follow and like the Official Page of Indian Football Teams on Facebook at *https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianFootballTeam* <https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianFootballTeam> Regards, AIFF Media Team -------------------------------------------- *‘CHAK DE INDIA’ INSPIRES INDIA’S GOLDEN GIRLS* *By Nilanjan Datta,AIFF Media Team* *SILIGURI:* The mighty Kanchenjunga, all snow clad, stares at you from a distance. As you drive by the driver points out, “That is Kurseong and beyond that it’s Darjeeling. It’s some 150kms away,” he informs. Winter all ends there as the chill is all at a distance. Mid-afternoon, in a T’Shirt, maybe you will prefer to search a shade rather than stand under the ‘winter sun.’ It’s yet to arrive. The confidence, nevertheless, has long arrived at the Indian Camp, especially after a convincing display against Nepal in the semi-final. The mood stays perfect with India having won all the previous three editions. The fourth beckons. Bangladesh, celebrating their first entry into a SAFF Women’s Championship final, had held India to a goalless draw in the Group League match. Even as connoisseurs maintain Bangladesh were defensive, it was all “part of a strategy” which worked perfectly for the neighbours. At the media interaction, Bangladesh Head Coach Golam Robbani Choton smiles. “Every match is different. You have to play different Teams in a different manner. We will give our 100 percent and play to win. The strategy will be mine,” he asserted. Indian Head Coach Sajid Dar insists having “learnt a few lessons” from the last match. “The last time we played Bangladesh the match ended in a goalless draw. We learnt quite few lessons from that and have tried to rectify them. We can’t afford a repeat,” he states. “In the league stage, they were more defensive. Tomorrow is a final match, they may or may not change their strategy. We are ready for everything.” “We had our chances but couldn’t capitalise. We can’t afford that luxury in the final.” Choton also maintained that Bangladesh had their chances too. “Yeah, India may have had more ball possession. But had Sabina Khatun been able to capitalise on the chance in the 75th minute, we should have won. Tomorrow, we will stick to our strategy,” Choton opines. Sajid did admit that “on the surface India seem to be the favourites.” “But we have huge respect for Bangladesh. They have made it to the final and it wasn’t presented to them on a platter. They have earned it,” he quipped. Indian Captain Bala Devi adds: “Bangladesh were the Group champions ahead of us. We rate them highly and are taking our opponents very seriously.” However, Bala wasn’t much willing to read much into her Captain’s role. “In a Football match the role of the Captain is limited. Maybe, it’s just leading the team into the ground and doing the toss. After that, it’s a team effort,” she told www.the-aiff.com. Sajid, meanwhile, complimented Bala for her leadership “off the field.” “Bala is the captain not only on the field but also off it. That’s the reason she is our captain. As a player I rate her very highly. She is one of the all-time best players of India,” Sajid commented. Post the morning recovery session at the SSB Camp ground, the Siliguri Frontier (SSB) band, as a gesture sings for the girls. “Tomorrow is an important match,” someone from the Band speaks. “We will be there to support you,” he mentions before breaking into the lyrics. The Golden girls join in, clap and sing in chorus -- it’s their favourite song after all. ‘CHAK DE INDIA.’ *------------------------------------* *IF WE GET COMPLACENT, WE WILL PAY THE PRICE: SAJID DAR* *By Nilanjan Datta,AIFF Media Team* *SILIGURI: *Indian Women’s Head Coach Sajid Dar feels it’s “in our hands” not to get carried away after India’s dominant display against strong contenders Nepal in the semi-final. A day prior to the final against Bangladesh, Sajid spoke at length to www.the-aiff.com about not getting complacent, potential of the Team, strengths of Bangladesh, a ‘special’ 17-year old and much more. *EXCERPTS:* *After your semi-final victory against Nepal you categorically mentioned that your Team is capable of playing better brand of Football. Can you elaborate?* I am aware of the potential of this squad. This Team is a perfect balance of youth and experience. Each one of the Players has earned their place in the squad and there is stiff competition not only for the first XI but also for the slots. I believe our best is yet to come and this Team can compete with traditionally stronger Teams. *After playing at such a high intensity against Nepal in the semi-final, how do you plan to sustain the momentum in the final?* We will play the same manner we have played all our games. It’s all about ability and we need to keep it simple and do it right. We need to back each other on the field while doing our job. It’s time to get back to the basics. *Is there any danger of the Team getting complacent?* It’s all in our hands. If we feel best to get complacent and get carried away by the performance in the semi-final we are bound to suffer. But the girls are matured enough to understand the importance of the final and we cannot take it lightly. *India were held to a goalless draw against Bangladesh in the Group League match. Will that match play at the back of your mind?* To improve as a Team you need to learn from your previous matches and work on them. Even as most prefer to speak about our semi-final display against Nepal, let me remind all that we beat Afghanistan by a big margin in our first match and were all dominant against Bangladesh. But yeah, we were unable to capitalise on the opportunities. But this is a match which we can’t afford to lose. We are looking forward to it. *How do you rate Bangladesh as a Team?* They are a very unit to crack with some very good individual quality players. And if you feel they are just a defensive team, just look back the manner they demolished Maldives 6-0 in the semi-final. They have the right balance of defence and attack. We rate them very highly. *You handed an International debut to a 17-year old Jabamani Tudu. Is she special?* She impressed me in the AFC U-19 Qualifiers and I feel she can compete with the senior girls. It was important to give her some playing time for her to gain the confidence of playing International Football. The idea is to utilise her when needed and not just keep her sitting on the bench. She can be an asset for Indian Women’s Football in coming years but at the same time she can’t afford to get carried away. So many youngsters have fallen into the trap. She needs to understand her priorities. *------------------------* EOM Media Department, AIFF. Alternate: [email protected] Website: www.the-aiff.com
