India need to guard against complacency

India will lock horn with underdogs Bhutan in the semifinals of the SAFF Championship.

More than their opponents, it's complacency which can pull the rug from under their feet when defending champions India lock horn with underdogs Bhutan in the semifinals of the SAFF Championship here on Wednesday.

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India coach Bob Houghton was quite unhappy after his wards were made to play their first three games over five days but he should not have any more grudge now as Baichung Bhutia and his teammates got enough time to recharge their batteries since playing their last match on Friday.

Houghton was quite pleased after the team, despite resting six key players including the skipper, tamed hosts Maldives 1-0 in their previous match, courtesy Gourmangi Singh's winner.

On paper, Bhutan should not be a major worry for the Indian team, even though the minnows shocked Afghanistan 3-1 to reach their first semi-final in the regional football event.

Tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka will meet Maldives in the other semifinal in Colombo.