New Delhi Jan 22: India`s captain Baichung Bhutia has blamed various clubs at the domestic level for the country`s ``failure`` at the recently concluded Saff Football tournament in Dhaka. ``Most of the players, who played at the SAFF tournament were not fully match fit and could not perform their best. The clubs should give players enough time to rest before major international engagements,`` Baichung told. The ace striker, who missed the tournament due to a calf injury, said India was definitely the favourite to win the tournament but could only finish third as most of the players were drained out and lacked the pace and tempo for the key matches.
The Indian captain said the AIFF should direct the clubs to not only release their players for the country but also allow them to take rest before major international tournaments. He held the clubs responsible for being insensitive towards the hectic match-schedule and advocated stretching out the tournaments to allow room for the players ``to recharge their batteries.``
He also held himself responsible for not being able to play at the tournament saying it was ``unprofessional`` on his part to play a league match after nursing the calf injury.
Bureau Report