Star Indian midfielder N.P.Pradeep blamed sheer bad luck for the SAFF Cup loss to Maldives on Saturday at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka.
Speaking to Goal.com from his hometown, the Kerala star said, “It was bad luck that we lost to Maldives in the finals. I missed two chances and am very disappointed with that.”
As always the midfielder was one of the star performers for the Indian team and was pleased to have represented his country after the recent injury worries.
“Playing for the national side is always very inspirational. Coming back from the injury, I managed four goals in five games which I feel is very impressive. But it counts to nothing having lost the final.”
N.P. felt that the presence of Steven Dias and Renedy Singh would have helped the Indian cause.
“Renedy Bhai and Steven were a big loss. With them surely things would have been different. They always put the ball in the box. Without them, that service was missing.”
The Nehru Cup hero mentioned that the crowd support for the Maldives national side was immense.
“For the finals, some 5000 people flew from Maldives to Sri Lanka. They just had to pay the air fare. The rest was taken care of. Guess by whom? The Maldives government,” said the amazed star.
However, the star picked up another knock in the finals and has a bruised right knee.
“I have been advised to rest for the next 10 days. The camp starts on the 22nd.”
Source: goal.com
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