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Bhaichung Bhutia: Mahesh Gawli Is The Best Defender I Have Come Up Against
The Indian skipper answers Goal.com reader's questions...
08-Feb-2010 5:25:00 PM
By Rahul Bali
Goal.com brings you an interview where YOU-the reader were the journalist. We received several questions for Bhaichung Bhutia and we picked four and put it to the star striker. Here’s how it went...
Bhaichung what is the logic behind arranging camps in Dubai and playing against low-grade clubs instead of UAE or any other gulf countries? Our U-19 team is performing very well in SAF games against U-23 teams of other countries. Our U-23 played against other senior teams in the SAFF cup. Then why can't the Indian senior team play against top ranking Asian teams or average teams from Africa and Europe
(Arun, Kollam)
The problem is how do people know as to which club we are playing. We are playing top UAE clubs, which if he goes to see the standard, are as good as the UAE national team with all the additions of the foreign players. We have approached the top international teams but the problem is when they agree. Now it’s up to them to resolve.
Bhaichung, you proved you could play in Europe when you scored alongside Zidane and Kaka...Do our players get calls from European clubs?
(Bharat Hindu, Bengaluru)
It’s a long process and a lot of things are involved here. It’s very important for the national team do well internationally. It’s difficult with our rankings. If we keep qualifying for the Asian Cup, win the Asian Games medal with the national team, and then I would say the chances become easier by 70 to 80%. I think it’s very important for the growth of Indian football.
Hi Bhaichung, You make some very valid points on where Indian football should be going in the future and the development of youth. I wanted to know if you ever thought of taking an administrative role in the AIFF once you hang up your boots.
(BSG, UK)
I would say that the options are open. I would like to be involved where I can make changes. But to want to be and being there are two different things altogether.
Who is the best defender you have played against?
(Unnat, Delhi)
Mahesh Gawli
Bhaichung Bhutia expressed his thanks to all of Goal.com's readers for their questions - whether they were asked or not - and we express that same gratitude to all our fantastic and loyal readers all over the world.
Bhaichung what is the logic behind arranging camps in Dubai and playing against low-grade clubs instead of UAE or any other gulf countries? Our U-19 team is performing very well in SAF games against U-23 teams of other countries. Our U-23 played against other senior teams in the SAFF cup. Then why can't the Indian senior team play against top ranking Asian teams or average teams from Africa and Europe
(Arun, Kollam)
The problem is how do people know as to which club we are playing. We are playing top UAE clubs, which if he goes to see the standard, are as good as the UAE national team with all the additions of the foreign players. We have approached the top international teams but the problem is when they agree. Now it’s up to them to resolve.
Bhaichung, you proved you could play in Europe when you scored alongside Zidane and Kaka...Do our players get calls from European clubs?
(Bharat Hindu, Bengaluru)
It’s a long process and a lot of things are involved here. It’s very important for the national team do well internationally. It’s difficult with our rankings. If we keep qualifying for the Asian Cup, win the Asian Games medal with the national team, and then I would say the chances become easier by 70 to 80%. I think it’s very important for the growth of Indian football.
Hi Bhaichung, You make some very valid points on where Indian football should be going in the future and the development of youth. I wanted to know if you ever thought of taking an administrative role in the AIFF once you hang up your boots.
(BSG, UK)
I would say that the options are open. I would like to be involved where I can make changes. But to want to be and being there are two different things altogether.
Who is the best defender you have played against?
(Unnat, Delhi)
Mahesh Gawli
Bhaichung Bhutia expressed his thanks to all of Goal.com's readers for their questions - whether they were asked or not - and we express that same gratitude to all our fantastic and loyal readers all over the world.
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