The Hindu : Sport / Football : Steven Dias sees a role for himself in new set-up

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Steven Dias sees a role for himself in new set-up

Principal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: As a free-kick specialist, Steven Dias sees a role for himself in the new set-up of the Indian football team.

During an interaction with mediapersons after the training session at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Monday, Dias said his role was as crucial under Armando Colaco as it was under Bob Houghton.

The 27-year-old Churchill Brothers midfielder said the art of mastering the ‘dead-ball' did not become insignificant just for the fact that Colaco professed short passes and possession. “If five goals are scored in a match, two to three goals come from the dead-ball. I am practising the dead-ball,” said Dias.

The soft-spoken Dias said it was not very difficult to adjust to Colaco's way of coaching. He is happy to go through the rigours of training. He thinks the hard work is helping him get back his fitness.

“We have been training twice a day. During Houghton's time, it was once a day. But Colaco has less time.”

Dias hoped the youngsters in the camp would be able to fill the void created by the seniors. India under-23 captain Raju Gaikwad relishes the encouraging company of the experienced players in the camp.

Having been compared to Irish footballer Rory Delap for his powerful throw-ins, Gaikwad accepts the compliments with humility. “It is God-gifted. I do a lot of strength training for this,” said the 20-year-old defender.

Gaikwad, who played under Desmond Bulpin for Indian Arrows, is also positive of shining under Colaco.

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