Medio Steven Dias tells Mobile ESPN’s Adarsh Vinay he is not too perturbed with FIFA rankings as India prepare to defend the Nehru Cup.

The hosts open their campaign versus Lebanon on Wednesday.

If the likes of Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri have been at the fountainhead of India football, they must thank one man who has quietly played his role behind the frontline. Steven Benedic Dias has been at the heart of India’s midfield and has been the playmaker at large in almost all international outings in recent times.

Having made his India debut in 2006, the Mumbai-born packs tons of energy in his 5 feet 7 inch frame. A corner specialist, Dias scored one of his best goals, a curling chip that foxed the Lebanese goalie. It helped India clinch a 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier in November, 2007.

Dias also grabbed a brace in the 6-0 rout of Cambodia in the 2007 Nehru Cup opener and helped India qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha. With four goals in 22 international appearances, all eyes will be on Dias as India begin their Nehru Cup defence against Lebanon at Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium on Wednesday.

As holders of the Nehru Cup, there will definitely be pressure on hosts India to deliver. More so on Dias, who had twice won the Man of the Match award in 2007, but the Mahindra United star is unfazed this time around.

“Yes, there will be pressure. We are the hosts and the holders. But then again, there is always pressure on any team. If you are the winners, you are under pressure to be consistent. If you are not, then you are under pressure to improve,” says Dias.

Dias is not duly bothered about Man of the Match awards either. “That (award) doesn’t matter. Winning is the motive. The coach gives everyone a specific role in the team. On the day, whoever performs his role the best, wins the award. But at the end of the day, the match is more important. As long as I perform my role well, it is enough for me.”

Having trained at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurgaon, after preparatory camps in Dubai and Barcelona, Dias laments the lack of facilities in India. “It is so much easier playing in foreign countries. It helps improve our passing and team game. That is why the coach took us abroad before the previous Nehru Cup and the AFC Challenge last year. If there are good stadiums and facilities in India, our performance would definitely improve,” he said.

About remaining unbeaten on the European tour, Dias said it would add to the team’s confidence. “Those are highly experienced teams that practice together throughout the year. It will really help us.”

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder, who can also double as a winger, is known for his link-up play with Chhetri. The Dempo striker is sidelined with a recurrent ankle injury. Dias conceded that his team-mate’s absence would be felt but insisted that it wouldn’t hamper the team’s fortunes at large. He added that striker Sushil Kumar will be able to fill into Chhetri’s slot effortlessly.

Dias is wary of all teams in the five-nation tournament.

“Every team is a threat. It would be wrong to assume that only Syria are dangerous. People might think that Sri Lanka are not a great team, but even they can beat anyone. All that matters is the performance on that day.”

Dias is unperturbed about the difference in rankings. India are 156th in the world, as are Sri Lanka, while Syria are 95th. Lebanon are just a few places above India at 148 while Kyrgyzstan are only a few spots below on 160.

“The ranking really doesn’t matter. We only slipped in the rankings because we haven’t played enough international matches recently. We can improve if we perform well in this tournament,” he added.

Dias also spoke about the rumours linking him to Belgian club, Royal Antwerp.

“An agent from the club spoke to me during the Barcelona tour. Two scouts watched me play. After that I spoke to them. They seem very interested but as of now nothing is on the cards. I have a contract with Mahindra and I will honour that. If something comes up, I will speak to my club and we’ll see what happens.”