Constantine will get the players fighting: Climax Lawrence

by Kaushal Shukla June 10, 2015

India, touted as the sleeping giant of the footballing world will take its first step towards a dream World Cup appearance in Russia in 2018 when they face Oman in the first of the World Cup and Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, 11th June 2015.

After starting his second spell as the coach of the Indian National team on a positive note by bringing India here post a two legged success over Nepal, Stephen Constantine will look to build a new Indian side which will attempt to crack the big tournament puzzle.

The Englishmen has received the praise from one of his former and finest employee in Climax Lawrence. Climax was given his full national debut by Stephen Constantine back in 2002 before Climax went on to be a mainstay in the national side, serving the country for ten years, while making 81 appearances in the process for India.

The former Indian midfielder feels the future of the Indian Football Team is in safe hands and believes there could hardly have been a better choice to manage this young Indian side.

“Stephen is a very good coach. I had my best days under him and I know he will prepare the team in the best possible way for the first qualifying game against Oman”, said the former Indian midfilder

Climax Lawrence disclosed he had only played thirty minutes against Vasco, when he was called up to play for the country. “I had only played thirty minutes against Vasco when Constantine selected me. He was very clear about having me. He said that he wanted me as I was hard working and intelligent and gave me a lot of belief”.

With the rather fresh look to this Indian side consisting of many youngsters, Constantine is expected to have similar impact on the younger players, which comes as a huge boost for the side before they lock horns with Oman on Thursday.

Stephan Constantine put his side through a round of army training as a part of his match preparations and Climax believes he will get this young side fighting for everything. “Stephen has always wanted fighters in his side. He always made sure we fought till the last minute. I am sure that hasn’t changed and I expect him to get this team fighting for everything”.

The veteran Mumbai FC player is confident in this new team’s abilities and has backed coach Stephen Constantine to get the best out of a talented bunch of players. “We have some really talented boys in the national side now. Constantine will demand full dedication from them and that will help these boys achieve the next level”.

Climax’s faith in Constantine seven years after the duo last worked with each other, shows how positively the Englishmen grooms his players. World Cup 2018 might still be a dream too far, for India, but if Stephen Constantine could deliver yet another Climax Lawrence in the years to come, India could well be dreaming for real.