SAFF Cup: Major Setback For India, Delhi Dynamos Star Robin Singh Ruled Out Due to Injury
Robin Singh, who plays for Delhi Dynamos FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), netted twice in India's 2-0 win over Sri Lanka to kick-off India's campaign in style which was followed with a 4-1 thrashing of Nepal in the SAFF Cup group stage.
Ahead of their South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup semi-finals against Maldives, the Indian football team suffered a big blow as star striker Robin Singh was on Tuesday ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. (SAFF Cup: India Crush Nepal 4-1 to Enter Semis)
National coach Stephen Constantine said the news was disappointing. (SAFF Cup: Constantine Names State League, Under-19 Players in 40-Member Probables List)
Robin netted twice in India's 2-0 win over Sri Lanka to kick-off India's campaign in style which was followed by a 4-1 thrashing of Nepal. (SAFF Cup: Robin Singh Scores Brace as India Defeat Sri Lanka 2-0)
India face Maldives in the first semi-final on Thursday while Afghanistan take on Sri Lanka in the other last-four clash.
"Yesterday's (December 28) MRI revealed that his knee problem is a bit more serious that we had expected. The doctors have advised us that he will need 10 days rest before undergoing another MRI. It's a blow and a loss for us. He had started to score for the national team on a regular basis and is such a hard working guy," Constantine rued.
The guidelines of the SAFF Cup, however, state that India won't be allowed to register any replacement for Robin. The strength of the squad, hence, at present is 19 which includes three goalkeepers.