Though India trained intensely ahead of the Bayern Munich match,a tie which most of the players would only have dreamt about,it was evident they did not have too much hope for the match as a contest. Bayern Munich,the Bundesliga leaders and 22 times winners of the national title,have in their ranks players like Thomas Mueller,Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben all idols of the Indian players who have tried to emulate their styles and skills. Coach Savio Medeira,after winning the SAFF Cup and handling a team that did reasonably well at the AFC Cup in Doha,said the contest should be looked on as an opportunity for his wards and that it would be a great experience."It is a lifetime opportunity for the players and it is surely a wonderful achievement for players playing against Bayern. We are aware of their potential and hence we can't expect much. As far as the strategy is concerned,we will play our natural game and try to take this entire exercise as a learning platform," said Medeira Defender Gouramangi Singh is very pragmatic about the impending duel."We are fortunate to be playing Bayern Munich. Until now we have only watched them on the TV. We know most of the game will be confined to our half. So for all of us it is a platform to take some lessons from them," he added. Ask him if he feels the Indian midfield might play an important role in turning the tables around,he gives nothing away. "As such we are not walking in with a premeditated approach. Our entire strategy will depend on how Bayern plays. However the midfield and defence will have a tough day in blocking the Bayern strikers. After playing the likes of Australia and Bahrain,we now know how to handle pressure and hopefully we should be able to compete with the visitors," Gouramangi said. Since it is also the farewell match for the Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia,the occasion is one to be cherished for those who recently joined the India squad. Co-strikers Jeje Lalpekhlua,goalkeeper Karanjit Singh and defenders Syed Rahim Nabi and Lalrindika Ralte see their dream of playing alongside Bhutia coming true. "He is our icon and we have always thought of sharing the same dressing room. When we joined the squad,he had retired but destiny had to play its part and gave us a chance now to play alongside him. We are not thinking how the match will pan out but we will give our hundred percent," said Karanjit Singh.
