New Delhi: The Indian football team's opening match of the Caribbean tour has been cancelled after
coach Armando Colaco insisted that the sudden change in travel
schedule due to riots in London has left the players too tired
to take the field after the long journey to Barbados.
India were scheduled to kick off their three-match tour
with a game against Barbados today, but according to sources
Colaco was not willing to field his players.
However, AIFF downplayed the incident, saying the match
was cancelled to prevent the jet-legged players from getting
injured.
"Due to some unfortunate logistical reasons caused by the
sudden change in the travel schedule because of the problems
in London, India's first international friendly against
Barbados in stands cancelled to avoid undue physical strain
and hardship to the players after their long flight," the AIFF
said in a statement.
"The national coach after consultation with the All India
Football Federation general secretary, the national team
director and the Barbados Football Association decided under
the circumstances that the match may result in unnecessary
injuries or health problems for the players," the statement
added.
"The AIFF is very conscious that players should not get
injured prior to the beginning of the new domestic season and
therefore in the best interest of the players and the clubs,
found it prudent to cancel the match against Barbados."
However according to reports, some AIFF sources claimed
that the Indian players were upset at being accorded a cold
reception on arrival, and the absence of officials from the
local association left them even more disappointed.
The next two matches -- against Trinidad and Tobago
(August 21) and Guyana (August 24) -- would be played as per
the scheduled.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 13:11