India face tricky Nepal in SAFF Championship

Thiruvanthapuram, Dec 26: Indian football coach Stephen Constantine believes the SAFF Championship game against Nepal here on Sunday will be a tricky one.

Nepal lost their opener against Sri Lanka 0-1 while India, in their first game, beat Sri Lanka 2-0.

"Nepal were unlucky to lose their first match. They are a good side and tomorrow will be a tricky match. We are an improving team and hopefully we will get the result we desire," Constantine said on Saturday.

The coach confirmed that striker Robin Singh's leg injury wasn't a serious one and that he would feature in the game. "Robin's X-ray reveals it isn't anything serious. He will be back."

Post-breakfast on Saturday, the players hit the beach for recovery sessions. "When you do recovery sessions in water, it's quite beneficial for the players. They don't feel the pressure, the banging on the joints as the water takes away all the pressure," the English tactician said.

"It also gets them out of the hotel apart from their daily schedule which at times can be boring. When you train with scenery behind you it's quite a bit of fun. So it's as much mental as physical."

Defender Arb Mondal said that the squad is fearless and the players are up to the challenges ahead.

"Life is synonymous with challenges. Waters will be deep but we are there to ride and swim out of the deep. We are Constantine's squad. We are fearless," Mondal said.

Nepal played some brilliant football in their last game but failed to score. The contest therefore promises to be full of pace and thrill. IANS

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