17 August,2011 01:21 PM IST | | PTI
The Indian football team's opening match of the Caribbean tour has been cancelled after coach Armando Colaco insisted that the sudden change in travel schedule due to riots in London has left the players too tired to take the field after the long journey to Barbados.
India were scheduled to kick off their three-match tour with a game against Barbados today, but according to sources Colaco was not willing to field his players.
However, AIFF downplayed the incident, saying the match was cancelled to prevent the jet-legged players from getting injured.
"Due to some unfortunate logistical reasons caused by the sudden change in the travel schedule because of the problems in London, India's first international friendly against Barbados in stands cancelled to avoid undue physical strain and hardship to the players after their long flight," the AIFF said in a statement.
"The national coach after consultation with the All India Football Federation general secretary, the national team director and the Barbados Football Association decided under the circumstances that the match may result in unnecessary injuries or health problems for the players," the statement added.
"The AIFF is very conscious that players should not get injured prior to the beginning of the new domestic season and therefore in the best interest of the players and the clubs, found it prudent to cancel the match against Barbados."
However according to reports, some AIFF sources claimed that the Indian players were upset at being accorded a cold reception on arrival, and the absence of officials from the local association left them even more disappointed.
The next two matches -- against Trinidad and Tobago (August 21) and Guyana (August 24) -- would be played as per the scheduled.
