Have found squad’s nucleus: Constantine
Had Bolivia not beaten Argentina last week, India coach Stephen Constantine would have been happier. That’s because India then would have been 97 in the Fifa rankings that will be out on April 6, he said here on Tuesday. As it stands India are set to be at 101, their highest since 1993 when the rankings started.
As head coach of Rwanda --his last assignment --- Constantine had taken them to their highest Fifa ranking of 68. Speaking after conducting a two-day scouting workshop organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on the initiative of the West Bengal sports ministry, Constantine said, it’s difficult to compare which feels better. “I am proud of what we achieved in Rwanda, where football is at a different level and where we moved from 135 to 68 and I am immensely proud of what we are doing here. Can we do better? Absolutely,” said Constantine.
Under his watch, India, now 132, would have moved nearly 70 slots in a little over two years. India’s rankings will significantly move north on the back of their successive away wins, in Cambodia and Myanmar, last month. Constantine also said that he has now found the nucleus of the squad that should serve India in the next four to six years. “We have a team that will hopefully take us to the (2019) Asian Cup finals.” He has handed debuts to 30 players since taking charge in April 2015.
DIPA TO MISS ASIAN MEET AFTER SURGERY
Indian trailblazing gymnast Dipa Karmakar is all set to miss the Asian Championships next month after undergoing surgery on a knee injury. Confirming the news on Twitter, Karmakar revealed that she recently underwent an Anterior Cruciate Ligament surgery after injuring herself during a national camp.
SUMESH’S BRACE HELPS CENTRAL TO VICTORY
Riding on twin strikes by Sumesh KS, Central Railway (Headquarters) romped to a fac ile 3-0 win against Serrco Intel linet SC in a Super Division match of the MDFA League at the St. Xavier’s ground, Pare late on Monday.
In a Fourth Division encoun ter, St Joseph’s SC outplayed Vidya Vikasini 4-1.