India look for a winning start in SAFF Cup tomorrow

Dhaka: Three-time champions India would look to start their SAFF Cup campaign on a winning note when they

take on minnows Afghanistan at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here tomorrow. India, who are fielding an Under-23 side in the regional tournament, cannot afford to take Afghanistan lightly as any slippage in tomorrow`s Group A match would make it difficult for them to qualify for the semifinals. The side, led by India senior forward Sushil Kumar Singh, has last edition champions Maldives and unpredictable Nepal in their group and a false start in the tournament could prove to be a disaster. Afghanistan has players in their ranks who ply trade in lower division sides in Germany. The side coached by Mohammed Farid also came with some players that had played in the AFC Challenge Cup hosted and won by India last year. In a group match in that tournament in Hyderabad, Indian senior side needed an injury time goal to emerge victorious. Coach Sukhwinder Singh said his boys know the importance of their opening game and they are not taking Afghanistan lightly. "We respect our tomorrow`s opponent. There are no underdogs in modern football. We want to start the tournament on a winning note," he said after the team`s two-hour training session. "We have prepared well for the tournament in Goa. All my boys are in good shape. SAFF Championships have always been a tough tournament to win. We want to play our best," said the coach who was at the helm of affairs when India won the 1999 edition in Goa. India lost to Maldives 0-1 in the final last year in Colombo. Before India play Afghanistan, Maldives take on Nepal in the first match tomorrow. India Team (From): Sushil Kumar Singh (capt), Arindam Bhatacharya, Laximikant Kattimani, D Ravanan, Denzil Franco, Nirmal Chetri, Naoba Singh, Ravinder Singh, Robert Lalthlamuana, Rowilson Rodrigues, Baldip Singh, Balwant Singh, Jagpreet Singh, Jewel Raja, Jibbon Singh, Joaquim Abranches, Subodh Kumar, Jagtar Singh, Manish Maitahni, Jeje Lalpeklua. PTI