JOIN USIndia coach Wim Koevermans congratulated his team for their "incredible" Nehru Cup victory over the higher-ranked Cameroon and said the boys have taken a few steps forward with the triumph on Sunday.
He praised the boys for their hard work during the five-week training and called the title win as one of the "memorable" moments of his career.
"It was an incredible victory. We started well but Cameroon are a top quality side and made it 1-1. We needed to straighten out a few things in the half time and we did that. We got the penalty at the right time," Koevermans said, following India's 5-4 victory through penalty shootout.
Interestingly, the team had missed eight penalties in the training session on Saturday.
"At that time I really hoped we don’t have to face a shootout in the final," said Koevermans as skipper Sunil Chhetri chuckled sitting next to him.
"I told the boys it can’t go worse than last evening. I am proud of them all. They have taken a few steps forward. This is a very special moment for me. I hope they do well with their respective clubs now."
Chhetri said he never thought they could win this tournament. "Of all the three wins, this one is most special because it came against Cameroon. I never thought it will be easy to win. But at no stage did the boys give up," he said.
"We are good listeners when the coach speaks but we have not yet reached where he wants us. We are moving in that direction and will give it as much as we can.”
Chhetri also thanked the crowd for their support.