Agencies
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 4: India head coach Stephen Constantine termed the SAFF Cup victory as ‘one of the best achievements of his career’ while skipper Sunil Chhetri dedicated the victory to injured striker Robin Singh here Sunday night. India defeated higher-ranked Afghanistan 2-1 in the final.
“Everybody connected with Indian football must be happy with the way things have turned out. We won against all odds. They (Afghanistan) thought that we would push into the attack, but we knew what we were doing and we played the counter-attacking game to perfection,” said Constantine after the game.
“We had to be on our toes at all times and everybody worked their socks-off and functioned as a unit. At the end of the day we won and that is what matters,” the Indian coach added.
Constantine also dedicated the SAFF Cup win to ‘Indian football and the fans’. “I am not a one-man band. This trophy is for all of us right from the lads to the fans. It belongs to everybody,” Constantine stated. “This will definitely prove a boon for Indian football.
Meanwhile Chhetri, whose goal in the 101st minute proved to be the winner, was awarded the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the tournament with three goals in four matches.
“It gives me immense joy to be crowned champions,” Chhetri, who was sitting besides Constantine told journalists. “It is not easy to win a tournament with a young side and we did that. I told the boys that we should not lose today (Sunday) and everyone really worked hard.”
Chhetri also thanked the fans for creating an electric atmosphere.
