Constantine counting on younger players

Coach Stephen Constantine conceded that the team has a few injury worries, but hopes the younger players will rise to the occasion against Oman in the World Cup Asia Zone Group 3 qualifying football match, to be played in Kochi, on March 31.

"There are a few injury worries to senior players but this also gives an opportunity to the upcoming players to take advantage of the situation by performing well," he told reporters after the players had a light training session at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi.

He said goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee has a problem with his neck, "but should be okay before the match".

Midfielder Samir Naik has been ruled out of the match due to injury and his "absence is a big loss", he added.

To a query on the preparation of the team, Constantine said: "One or two things have to be worked out, especially in defence and attack."

The Indian team has done well in the recent past and it will have to keep doing so if India has to improve its standing in Asia, he said.

The team underwent a medical check-up on Sunday.

"We did some light stuff and had our actual training in the evening," Constantine said.

Commenting on the match, the chief coach said, "Oman is a good side, very fit and strong, so obviously the best available players will have to play, whoever they will be."

Captain Baichung Bhutia said the team will surely feel the absence of veteran striker I M Vijayan, who retired from international football after the Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad last year.

"But we have several promising players like Abhishek Yadav and Ashim Biswas to fill the gap. Though these players lack experience, they are very good," he said.