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Daniel Darrel Deigan joins Indian national team coaching staff

Daniel Darrel Deigan

Daniel Darrel Deigan

The morning after was about recovering and gearing up for the next challenge.

After recording a facile 2-0 victory against Nepal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Qualification Round 1 the previous night, the Indian National Team had their recovery session at the ‘lush green’ training pitch adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Sajusarai, Guwahati.

Assistant coach Daniel Darrel Deigan who arrived today (March 13) morning from Sydney via Hong Kong made the boys go through the session. Deigan will be in charge of fitness, rehabilitation and injury prevention. An Australian by birth, Deigan has a Masters Degree in strength and conditioning and is a “young energetic sports scientist.”

He has earlier worked in the A-League and with Clubs and is an expert on strengthening, conditioning and rehabilitation.

It’s important to plan the diet and the eating habits of the Players and at any given time,” Constantine stated. “Football is all about detail and someone who pays attention to it is required. Danny will add something to the National Team which it never had and it will have its impact, both in the short term as well as long term,” Constantine reiterated.

The new Coach has laid special emphasis on fitness and conditioning as it was very much visible the manner India played in the first home-match against Nepal. The stamina of the Players seemed to increase as the match progressed, a thing unheard of in Indian Football.

There are no injury concerns in the Team and everyone stays focussed, confident yet not complacent.

“The tie is far from over,” Constantine declared, a sentiment also echoed by a confident Nepal Coach Jack Stefanowski.

“We will back ourselves and look to overturn the deficit when we meet again in Kathmandu,” Stefanowski opined. “We are known for our character and fighting spirit and we will fight till the end,” Stefanowski added.

“From my previous experience from coaching Nepal I stay aware of the passion among the Nepalese fans. But our boys are professional enough and are used to play in front of some 100,000 people,” Constantine added.

The Indian National Team would be leaving for Kathmandu on March 14 via New Delhi. The return-leg match against Nepal is on March 17.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)