Kolkata: The Indian national football team has been putting up some solid performances, winning nine consecutive international matches (including the un-official fixture against Bhutan), with the Tri-Nation series victory at home being the latest addition to their international glory.
While many experts and pundits of the sport have come out in praise of Constantine’s men, former Indian team stars, who were a part of the 2011 Asia Cup in Doha have joined hands to clap the efforts of the current team.
Ace defender Deepak Mondal, who is an Arjuna awardee and one of the India’s best right-backs said, “The 2011 Asian Cup was a huge learning experience for us. This present team is on a roll and are very close to repeating the feat. Make it count.”
He further added, “Constantine has brought in a fighting spirit into the team and that provide our boys a cutting edge over their opponents.”
The 37-year old, who has represented both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the I-League and has also been a part of the Kerala Blasters in the 2015 season of the ISL hailed the team for the string of strong performances they have shown at the international stage. He credited the, ‘team effort’ for the success of Constantine’s men.
“It rightly reflects how well-tuned they are at the moment. Right from the coach to the players, everyone is operating together as a team,” he said.
Mahesh Gawli, Mondal’s partner in the defensive line said, “As former Footballers, we look for an upward graph of our National Team. I’m really happy that they are doing well. I wish all the best for their forthcoming match against Macau.”
Mondal and Gawli, being defenders themselves felt that the defensive unit of the current team has been really strong.
Said Mondal, “I learnt they didn’t concede a goal for 300-odd minutes. That’s really stupendous in International Football at any point of time. It shows that the defenders, the goalkeeper and others are perfectly synchronised and they’ve to maintain this until the job is finished.”
Gawli further pointed out that there is a, ‘healthy competition’ in the team which has further added to it’s success as a unit.
He said, “There’s a healthy competition amongst the defenders and this is a good headache for the Coach. Constantine has been rotating the squad and more youngsters are getting the opportunities to showcase their talent. It just reiterates his trust on his boys.”
Former striker Abhishek Yadav, who had started his international career for India under Constantine back in 2002 and who is currently a member of the AIFF Executive Committee felt that qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup will be the, ‘best thing for Indian football.’
He said, “In 2011, we qualified for the AFC Asian Cup after 27 years and these boys are on the verge of making it again within 8 years. It shows we have made significant progress recently and we’re in the right direction to reach the next level.”
Yadav further added, “Under the aegis of AIFF, other programs are also running pretty well. We’ve recently triumphed in the U-15 SAFF Championship and the U-17 boys have shown their character on foreign soil. A lot of hard work is being put in by AIFF and hence, the results are coming on the bigger stage.”
Yadav also applauded coach Constantine’s, ‘work-ethic’ for the success of the team.
“Constantine is renowned for his work-ethic and it gets transformed into the players as well. The progress from 173 to 96 in FIFA Rankings, the 10-match unbeaten streak are undoubtedly the highlights of Indian Football. I feel they have the calibre to take it forward,” he added.