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India U-19: The Qualifiers In Iraq Were A Good Test - Indian Football's Technical Director Colin Toal
The technical director of Indian football spoke to Goal.com...
20-Nov-2009 5:54:38 PM
India U-19 squad has returned from Iraq in what
was a mixed qualifying campaign for the AFC U-19 championships in terms of
results. In the five games played, the team won their final two matches while
gave a good account of themselves following the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of
hosts, Iraq.
“It wasn’t a 5-0 match but it was a 5-0 scoreline,” pointed Colin Toal.
What followed was 3-1 and 4-3 defeats against Saudi Arabia and Oman and the coach points that it was also down to the fact that they were playing their third game in five days.
“It was 1-1 until the 89th minute against Saudi Arabia and we were ten men for the last 30 minutes or so. We conceded two goals at the death and were a bit unlucky as well as the referee decided the game (red card).
“We were 3-1 up against Oman and eventually lost 4-3. It may seem that we threw away a game which was in our hands but it’s down to the quality of opposition we were against and that we were playing our third game in the five days. In the second game, we were with ten men so it was even more physically demanding.”
However, India did restore some pride with emphatic victories over Afghanistan and Kuwait with the scoreline reading 4-1 and 3-0 respectively.
“We showed how good we are in the two victories in the end. Overall, it was a good experience while the results were mixed.”
“When you look back at those two goals we conceded against Saudi Arabia and the goals against Oman, they stopped us from qualifying. So to say, we could have finished second. Certainly, if you concede 12 goals in three games, it’s a little tough. But we improved as we went along and showed that we could defend and win. Having said that, I would say that I’m very pleased with the boys and it was a good test for them.”
India had undergone five months of strenuous training in Goa and this was followed by a trip to Dubai for a little over a week before the qualifiers in the West Asian country.
“Dubai was good with some very good facilities which the boys enjoyed. Sadly, we couldn’t find a couple of games and played only one.” So why didn’t the team play more international freindlies prior to the crucial test in Iraq?
“We were invited twice to the USA for two weeks each in September and October. But the visas couldn’t be organised in time which was disappointing for the boys. We did play almost all the senior I-League teams in Goa but playing internationally and here, is not the same,” the Irishman explained.
When contacted the All India Football Federation (AIFF), they refused to comment on the above matter.
Next on the India U-19 team’s agenda is the SAFF Games in January and Toal is optimistic after ending the Iraq sojourn on a high note.
“If we can play as we did in the last four games, I will be very pleased.” Four of his boys have made it into the India U-23 camp and Toal is all smiles about it.
“It’s a great initiative by the national coach (Bob Houghton) and the general secretary (Alberto Colaco) as the players who leave the U-19 generally fall into a vacuum with only the senior national team to aim at. Now they can target the U-23 side and also can get valuable experience by playing international matches in SAFF Cup.”
Toal explained about the long and short term goals and stressed that in a developing football nation like India, its imperative that the focus must be on the former.
“It gave us an opportunity to play five international games. Results are important but not as important as the developmental process. You have to look at achieving your long term objectives which is to ensure that there is a steady inflow of talent to the senior national team.”
Rahul Bali.
“It wasn’t a 5-0 match but it was a 5-0 scoreline,” pointed Colin Toal.
What followed was 3-1 and 4-3 defeats against Saudi Arabia and Oman and the coach points that it was also down to the fact that they were playing their third game in five days.
“It was 1-1 until the 89th minute against Saudi Arabia and we were ten men for the last 30 minutes or so. We conceded two goals at the death and were a bit unlucky as well as the referee decided the game (red card).
“We were 3-1 up against Oman and eventually lost 4-3. It may seem that we threw away a game which was in our hands but it’s down to the quality of opposition we were against and that we were playing our third game in the five days. In the second game, we were with ten men so it was even more physically demanding.”
However, India did restore some pride with emphatic victories over Afghanistan and Kuwait with the scoreline reading 4-1 and 3-0 respectively.
“We showed how good we are in the two victories in the end. Overall, it was a good experience while the results were mixed.”
“When you look back at those two goals we conceded against Saudi Arabia and the goals against Oman, they stopped us from qualifying. So to say, we could have finished second. Certainly, if you concede 12 goals in three games, it’s a little tough. But we improved as we went along and showed that we could defend and win. Having said that, I would say that I’m very pleased with the boys and it was a good test for them.”
India had undergone five months of strenuous training in Goa and this was followed by a trip to Dubai for a little over a week before the qualifiers in the West Asian country.
“Dubai was good with some very good facilities which the boys enjoyed. Sadly, we couldn’t find a couple of games and played only one.” So why didn’t the team play more international freindlies prior to the crucial test in Iraq?
“We were invited twice to the USA for two weeks each in September and October. But the visas couldn’t be organised in time which was disappointing for the boys. We did play almost all the senior I-League teams in Goa but playing internationally and here, is not the same,” the Irishman explained.
When contacted the All India Football Federation (AIFF), they refused to comment on the above matter.
Next on the India U-19 team’s agenda is the SAFF Games in January and Toal is optimistic after ending the Iraq sojourn on a high note.
“If we can play as we did in the last four games, I will be very pleased.” Four of his boys have made it into the India U-23 camp and Toal is all smiles about it.
“It’s a great initiative by the national coach (Bob Houghton) and the general secretary (Alberto Colaco) as the players who leave the U-19 generally fall into a vacuum with only the senior national team to aim at. Now they can target the U-23 side and also can get valuable experience by playing international matches in SAFF Cup.”
Toal explained about the long and short term goals and stressed that in a developing football nation like India, its imperative that the focus must be on the former.
“It gave us an opportunity to play five international games. Results are important but not as important as the developmental process. You have to look at achieving your long term objectives which is to ensure that there is a steady inflow of talent to the senior national team.”
Rahul Bali.
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