Relaxed India to face Maldives

By T.N. Raghu

Male, Maldives

June 6: India will field a new-look team against Maldives in their final Group A match of the SAFF Cup here on Saturday. The intensity of the tie has dropped considerably after both India and Maldives advanced to the semifinals with their second successive wins on Thursday.

India coach Bob Houghton said there would be dramatic changes in the line-up.

"I’m going to rest Bhutia, Chhetri, Climax and Pradeep tomorrow. At this stage of the competition, it doesn’t matter whether we play our semifinal at Male or Colombo. Having clinched a semifinal berth, I want to give a chance to those who have not played in the first two matches," he said after a practice session on Friday evening.

The hosts, on the other hand, will be keen to beat India to finish their preliminary engagements on a high. More importantly, three points against India will ensure their stay at home for their semifinal.

In case of a loss, Maldives will have to pray for a second place for Sri Lanka in Group B to enjoy the comfort of playing at home. If Lanka top their group, Maldives will have to travel to Colombo and India will stay put at Male to meet the Group B runners-up. The final will be held in the Sri Lankan capital on June 14.