Santosh Trophy: Sabir’s focus is on his team’s 1st match

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The mood is upbeat. The state players are slogging it out in all earnest at the preparatory camp.

The train tickets have been booked and the team is all set to embark once again in search of that elusive crown — the Santosh Trophy.

Tamil Nadu, who have never won the country’s premier football tournament, leave for Odisha on May 14 with the intention of rewriting history.

The last time Tamil Nadu even had a glimpse of the silverware was way back in 1972-73 — a final that they eventually lost to Bengal 4-1.

Coach Syed Sabir Pasha knows that he has his task cut out, but the former international is making no bones about it. At the same time, he is not ready to talk up TN’s chances. “It is not easy to predict anything beforehand.

The outcome of the first match that we play on May 19 is critical. It will give us a clear picture as to where we stand,” said Sabir. Tamil Nadu play their next two quarterfinal league games on May 21 and 23.

Unlike the previous years, the coach has been able to put his foot down on selection matters. Sabir did not allow anybody’s interference in selecting the team. “I got a free hand to select my team.

Every member who has made the cut did so through merit. The only criterion for selection was performance in the camp. I believe we have picked the best possible squad,” he said.

Sabir added that more than the pressure of playing away from home, getting used to the conditions in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will be significant.

“First of all, the surface will be vastly different from what our players are familiar with here in Chennai. Stamina will play a key role if we have to maintain the tempo for full 90 minutes.

That’s why there was a lot of stress on physical training during the camp. I’m happy with our team’s fitness. Thankfully we have no major injury concerns so far,” he said.

Note: The second part of the interview will be published on Sunday.