First target is to qualify for final round: Subir

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam will play the North East Qualifying round of Santosh Trophy in Aizawl from February 12. Before the team’s departure from Diphu its chief coach Subir Dey shared his views on the composition of the team and other related matters. Here is the excerpt.

TS: How is the team this season?

We have selected the best possible team for the meet. This time there are only three players who have the experience to play in the Santosh Trophy and all others are new comers. The average age of the teams is around 24-25 years and so you can expect a lot of stamina and speed in the team. Hope my boys would be able to perform well in the competition.

TS: Tell us about the preparations.

It’s quite good. The team is leaving for Aizawl after nearly 20 days of hard training at Diphu. We tried to improve our quality in every area of the game and all the players are looking in very good shape.

TS: What is your first target?

It’s to qualify for the final round. Two teams from Aizawl would qualify for the final round and we have targeted to grab one spot.

TS: Your comment on the opponents in group-stage.

We have to play against three teams in the group stage and they are Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Nagaland would be our first opponent and we will face them on February 12. All three opponents in our group are strong and we can’t take them lightly. In the recent past Nagaland improved their standard very much. Many players of Arunachal Pradesh frequently visit Guwahati to play local leagues and they have good knowledge about our style of play. On the other hand, I don’t think there is any team in the country which can take Manipur lightly.

TS: Your final advice to the players!

Whenever I took classes in the training camp I told them that it was the time for them to deliver and they should try their best to do it so that good team spirit is built up in the squad.

TS: There was an allegation that the footballers in the camp at Diphu didn’t get proper treatment from the AFA. Your comment.

I have also heard it but I feel the fact is not totally correct. I admit that there were a few problems during the first two-three days of the camp and there were some valid reasons too. But thereafter everything was smooth. There was no other option for AFA but to organize the camp at Diphu as the qualifying round at Aizawl would be held on Astro Turf and it is available only at Diphu. I personally feel it was a good decision to organize the camp at Diphu as players got the opportunity to accustom with artificial grass before the start of the competition.

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