Trivandrum , December 26 : After their convincing win in the first match against Sri Lanka , the Indian footballers enjoyed some sun, sand and football at the beautiful Kovalam beaches here on Saturday . Head coach Stephen Constantine took his footballers for a change at the Kovalam beach to train . Earlier the team spent a lovely Christmas night at the roof top of their hotel on Friday . The rooftop was misleading – it wasn’t snazzy but just a huge roof with Tables and Dinner prepared as per Danny Deigan’s Menu. The twinkling lights away perhaps may have given the feeling of the Christmas Star. Constantine emphasized to all his footballers that “the end matters, not the beginning.”
Man of the moment Robin Singh who scored a brace against the Lankans had a slight niggle . The Bengaluru FC striker had an X-ray but the reports suggests nothing to be serious about .
The team went to the beaches to have their recovery session after having their breakfast .
“When you do recovery sessions in water it’s quite beneficial for the Players. They don’t feel the pressure, the banging on the joints as the water takes away all the pressure” Constantine later told to www.the-aiff.com.
“It also gets them out of the Hotel apart from their daily schedule which at times can be boring. When you train with scenery behind you it’s quite a bit of fun. So it’s as much as mental as much as physical,” Constantine adds.
On their next opponent Nepal , Constantine said ,“Nepal were unlucky to lose in their first match. They are a good side and tomorrow (Sunday, December 27) will be a tricky match. We are an improving Team and hopefully, we will get the result we desire.”
The footballers thoroughly enjoyed the recovery session , taking part in some warm-up games, stretched on the sands, some jogging in the water and a bit of fun riding the waves.
“Life is synonymous with challenges. Waters will be deep but we are there to ride and swim out of the deep. We are Constantine’s squad. We are fearless,” he said even as Halder helped dust the sand behind his back.
The Indians would look to seal a spot in the semis with a win against Nepal .