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Maldives is a tricky team says Indian skipper Baichung
12 December 2005
Uploaded: 12.12.2005, 10:00 PM
Baichung Bhutia (15): knows something about Maldives
Karachi, PAKISTAN - Indian skipper Baichung Bhutia believes that Maldives is a tricky team and can do anything following the 0-0 draw against South Korea in world cup qualifying.
“ I won’t say we are the favorites as all the SAFF nations have almost the same standard. Maldives is a tricky team and can do anything following 0-0 draw against South Korea recently. Pakistan and Bangladesh have been playing well and I still think being the hosts, Pakistan will be the favorites who yet to concede a goal in 270 minutes of play.” said the 29 year old Indian player during a dinner given by Qamar Mansoor, Sindh Sports Minister, in honour of participating nations of SAFF Championship at Bagh-e-Jinnah (formerly Frere Hall), Karachi today.
Bhutia who won two gold medals with India in SAFF championship is in high hopes of winning it for the third time.
“ I want to return back to Sikkim with my third gold of SAFF Championship. The gold on 17 December will also earn me the joint record of three golds in SAFF Championship with my countryman Vijayan” He said.
I.M.Vijayan pocketed three golds in South Asia’s regional competition. His first goal emerged in 1993 when the event was introduced as SAARC Gold Cup at Lahore. His other golds were recorded in 1997 and 1999 when event was held under title “ SAFF Championship”. Baichung and other Indians with two SAFF golds are Jo Paul Ancheri, Roberto Fernandes, Bruno Coutinho and Carlton Chapman.
On game plan through FIFA World Ranking, Baichung said “the ranking was merely on paper and ground reality was different. India is above all SAARC teams in monthly FIFA ranking but ranking doesn't play a part in this. The Indian team toured Pakistan last June and Pakistanis played very well and even recorded their best-ever win against us (3-0 at Lahore). I don't think ranking would play much of a difference,” said the star striker who was just 19-years old when he struck the match-winner for India in his first international match in the 11th Nehru Cup 1995 in Calcutta and that too against Uzbekistan, the then Asian Games Gold medallists.
Bhutia is the only Indian player to have played in the Europe with his stint at English club Bury FC. Bhutia also had brief spells at Aston Villa along with West Bromwhich Albion FC, Fulham FC and Perak FC.
India and Maldives will meet for their fourth clash in SAFF championship on Wednesday at 1500hrs. The winner will book a place in the final.
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