New Delhi: India cannot afford to be complacent as they face Sri Lanka in their last Group A match of the SAFF Cup football tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday in their bid to book a semi-final berth.
Both India and Afghanistan have four points each from two matches but the hosts are on top in Group A because of a better goal difference. A draw with Sri Lanka would be enough for 162nd ranked India to book a berth in the last four. A loss, however, would shatter India's hopes of defending their title.
Five-time champions India started their title defence with a 1-1 draw against lower-ranked Afghanistan but came back strongly with a 5-0 thrashing against Bhutan, the lowest ranked team in the tournament.
India coach Savio Medeira admitted that the win against Bhutan has given the team the much needed confidence, but asked his boys not to take any chances against the 1995 champions.
"The first game is always tough for any team. But we have prepared well for this match like we did against Bhutan. We can't take any chances," said the India coach.
Medeira is likely to retain the same side that won against Bhutan and a call on winger Steven Dias would be taken only on the morrow. Dias was rested against Bhutan as the coach wanted to preserve him for the later stages of the tournament.
"We will decide on Dias on the morning of the match," the coach said.
India will start with Sunil Chettri and Jeje Lalpeklua upfront while skipper Climax Lawrence, Rocus Lamare, Clifford Miranda and Anthony Pereira will make up the midfield. Gouramangi Singh and Mahesh Gawli and Nirmal Chhetri and Syed Rahim Nabi will be manning the defence with Karanjit Singh under the bar.
The match would also provide an opportunity for Jeje to come back to form. The Pune FC striker, fresh from trials with Scottish giants Rangers, has had a quiet tournament and will be looking to find the net.
What could trouble the Indians would be the pace of the Sri Lankans. The island nation started with a 3-0 win over Bhutan but went down 1-3 against Afghanistan, who have emerged as one of the title favourites.
Striker Nipuna Bandara, who scored twice against Bhutan, will be the player to watch out for. The Don Bosco striker can trouble the Indian defence with his speed and the power.
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