Midfielder Confident of success
East Bengal midfielder Mehtab Hossain feels the Nehru Cup will act as a catalyst for India’s hopes of retaining their SAFF title.
India beat a Cameroon side 5-4 on Penalties to win the trophy last year and the 27-year-old hopes the victory will be able to inspire the Blue Tigers to victory.
Speaking to Kick Off India he said: ” if we can beat Cameroon to retain the Nehru Cup for the third successive time there’s no reason why we can’t win the 2013 SAFF Championship.
“But we can’t win simply on the virtue that we won the Nehru Cup. This is a different Tournament in a different Country against different teams. We have been handed a very tricky draw.
Hossain is also well aware of how important India’s opening game with Pakistan is.
“It’s an Indo-Pak clash and it says all. Both Countries would be desperate to win and make a winning start to the Championship. In such a match, you ought to give your 300 percent on the ground. Unless you give that extra bit you won’t be successful.
“We’ve heard Pakistan have come with five foreign-based Players. They are a very strong unit.”
Indian beat Afghanistan 4-0 in the final of the SAFF Championship last year.
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