‘Had good preparatory camp’

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The triumphant Services squad with the Santosh Trophy in Cuttack in 2011.

Defending champions, the Services, sounded an upbeat note ahead of their first Group A quarter-final against the Railways in the 67th edition of the Santosh Trophy being played in Kerala. The other two teams in the group are Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.

Services coach Sajith Kumar, under whom they won the title last year, said: “We have a full strength squad at our disposal. Gordon (Zormachane) and Sandu (Subba) are missing due to injuries but otherwise everyone is fit. The players are fresh and we had an excellent preparatory camp for 25 days prior to coming here.”
He added: “At the same time we have to remember that nothing comes easy at this stage of the competition. We have been clubbed in a very tough group, especially with the Railways. The first match will be very crucial in determining our fate. We have to win it in order to progress to the semi-finals.”
Kumar was clear that for his side, the Santosh Trophy was the main tournament, for which they prepared through the year.
“Though we had a 25-day camp before the quarter-finals, I have to say that the Santosh Trophy stays the main focus for us. We look forward to it throughout the year. The boys feel this is the only opportunity for them to make a mark.
“It was indeed euphoric last time round. Our confidence level was high and we are still carrying it. I would not say that we are basking in the glory but the boys are upbeat and they don’t feel any sort of pressure. They want to continue from where they left off last year.”
Services’ earlier win in the Santosh Trophy after 2011 in Cuttack was back in 1961 at Kozhikode.