SAFF Championship 2013: This Indian team will improve with time – Mehtab Hossain

File Photo: Mehtab Hossain

India’s midfield general Mehtab Hossain has called for patience from fans and media to see the best of the current senior national team.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s SAFF Championship 2013 final against Afghanistan, Mehtab pointed out that the side under Bob Houghton benefitted from having long camps, and that the current lot must play regular international matches to improve at international level.

“We didn’t play well in the group stage but raised our game against Maldives in the semi-final and deserve to be in the final. See comparisons with that team (under Bob Houghton) are harsh because they used to have long camps abroad and spent more time together.

“We haven’t had such benefits and haven’t played enough international matches also. I think this team will improve with time but regular games are a must,” Mehtab stated.

Afghanistan are placed six spots above India in the FIFA rankings but Mehtab doesn’t believe that is a factor. However, the East Bengal man was full of praise for the Afghans and most of their foreign-based players.

“(The) FIFA ranking doesn’t matter really. It’s just about performing on the given day and if we can match our semi-final display then we will have a great chance of retaining the title. Afghanistan are a strong side and have quality foreign-based players including their striker Balal (Arezou) who played in the I-League as well,” Mehtab said.

It’s a big week ahead for Mehtab as besides tomorrow’s final against Afghanistan, his club will take on Indonesia’s Semen Padang in the first leg of their AFC Cup quarter-final.

“Yes it’s a big few days for me, so hopefully I will be able to remain fit and perform well for club and country,” he concluded.