SAFF Championship: The Referee Wasn’t Partial To Us, Maybe It Was Hard For Afghanistan – India Coach Savio Medeira

This was India’s first trophy under the reign of Medeira who had previously won the competition back in 1997 as a defender.

While the Afghanistan coach Yousef Kargar was frustrated with the referee’s decisions and branded him “unfair”, Medeira thought otherwise.

“I do not think the referee was partial. He also spoke to the linesman who had a better view of the incident.

“Maybe it was hard for Afghanistan as they were playing well and they started well. Maybe if their goalkeeper would have kept his temper cool without hitting the referee, things could have been different.”

India struggled in the first half and were never allowed to settle with the Afghan forwards giving their defence a hard time.

“In the first half, we did not play well. They did now allow us to play. When we started lobbying the ball, their physique helped them. At half-time, we went to the drawing board again and then we began keeping the ball.

“In the five games we played, we have conceded two goals. We must not put too much blame on the defence. Let us also remember that the defence is always the last line. I think they were very good. They were doing a great job.”

Medeira was also of the opinion that the SAFF Championship should be used as an opportunity for India to get their U-23 squad a run-in.

“I feel sorry for this team as they shall go and play in the I-League after two days. Our strikers came in the tournament just a day before the match and without having practiced with the team, they played.

“The character and discipline they showed, hats off to them.

“The onus is on us as to how we best get more of the reserve boys.”

It was under Bob Houghton that Medeira got a taste of being an assistant coach with the Indian national team and has gradually progressed to be the chief coach.

“Every coach has his own thinking. There are many things I learnt from Bob. However I do my own things. Most importantly, they understand what I’m saying. If we have a good time to prepare we can do a much better job.”

Catch all the latest Live action and match highlights from SAFF Championship here