We don't have quality strikers: Medeira

As India bowed out of the AFC Challenge Cup after a second straight defeat, coach Savio Medeira rued the lack of opportunities for strikers to improve because of a flawed strategy of I-League clubs.

-India bow out of AFC Challenge Cup

India, beaten earlier by Tajikistan, lost to the Philippines 0-2 on Sunday, and Medeira said the defeats are "the collective responsibility of all".

"We couldn't sustain the momentum after conceding the first goal. We made many mistakes in the midfield and it never allowed us to stage a comeback in the match. We lost our plot and that is where we went wrong," he said.

The coach lamented the lack of quality strikers in India.

"All the clubs prefer to play foreign strikers in the I-League, as a result local lads hardly get a chance to play. We need to change the system.

"This team is a young side; it will take time for them to gain experience and perform the way the seniors have," he added.

Asked about captain Sunil Chhetri's performance, he replied, "He seemed to lack on match practice. He injured his ankle in the SAFF Championship final and this is the first competitive tournament since then. He seemed rusty upfront."

Meanwhile, his counterpart, the Philippines's German coach Hans Michael Weiss applauded his team's commitment, especially Philip James Younghusband's efforts.

"We suffered from jet-lag and the high altitude had an effect on us in our first match. We performed better in this match as we acclimatized better," Weiss said.

Speaking about India's performance he said, "India relied more on long balls instead of short passes. I think the strategy hurt them the most."