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India Could Play A Friendly In December
If Bob Houghton has his way, India could play a friendly in December...
22-Oct-2009 7:20:05 AM
Indian national coach Bob Houghton presented his plan for
the national team and the various age group sides at the Annual General Meeting
(AGM) of the Indian FA on Tuesday.
As was earlier reported, Houghton was keen on taking the U-23 side to the SAFF Cup and the AFC Challenge Cup, in his bid to prepare two teams for the 2011 Asian Cup.
Starting 15th November, there will be national camps held for both the senior and U-23 sides. While the U-23 team shall proceed to Bangladesh to participate in the SAFF Cup, it is claimed that the senior squad would play an international friendly on December 12. Meanwhile, the India U-19 team is expected to represent the nation in the SAF Games as the idea is to give them the necessary exposure and allow them to play another tournament following the continental challenge in November for which they have been preparing for several months now.
For the preparation of the 2011 Asian Cup, the national squad shall be together from June next year until the main event in Qatar. At least three months, starting June ’10, shall be spent with the Indian team practicing abroad either to Spain, England or even Portugal.
Houghton asked that the team should also practice in one of the Arab countries or even in Qatar as the tournament will be held in the Middle East nation. There was also a suggestion to have the I-League from May until October but certain section raised their apprehension raising climatic issues, such as incessant rains and excessive heat in different parts of the country, as one of the fundamental blocks of putting it into practice.
When one of the senior member of the Executive Committee questioned Houghton on the number of foreigners in the I-League, it didn't amuse the former coach of China as he statistically explained as to how having five foreigners for every team doesn't help. This only goes to show the ignorance of the leaders at the top running football in the country as it's they who take the decisions and ask pointless questions to the national coach.
The issue of Player of Indian Origin (PIO) was also brought to discussion with none being aware as to whether they are eligible for selection for the Indian national team!
Rahul Bali.
As was earlier reported, Houghton was keen on taking the U-23 side to the SAFF Cup and the AFC Challenge Cup, in his bid to prepare two teams for the 2011 Asian Cup.
Starting 15th November, there will be national camps held for both the senior and U-23 sides. While the U-23 team shall proceed to Bangladesh to participate in the SAFF Cup, it is claimed that the senior squad would play an international friendly on December 12. Meanwhile, the India U-19 team is expected to represent the nation in the SAF Games as the idea is to give them the necessary exposure and allow them to play another tournament following the continental challenge in November for which they have been preparing for several months now.
For the preparation of the 2011 Asian Cup, the national squad shall be together from June next year until the main event in Qatar. At least three months, starting June ’10, shall be spent with the Indian team practicing abroad either to Spain, England or even Portugal.
Houghton asked that the team should also practice in one of the Arab countries or even in Qatar as the tournament will be held in the Middle East nation. There was also a suggestion to have the I-League from May until October but certain section raised their apprehension raising climatic issues, such as incessant rains and excessive heat in different parts of the country, as one of the fundamental blocks of putting it into practice.
When one of the senior member of the Executive Committee questioned Houghton on the number of foreigners in the I-League, it didn't amuse the former coach of China as he statistically explained as to how having five foreigners for every team doesn't help. This only goes to show the ignorance of the leaders at the top running football in the country as it's they who take the decisions and ask pointless questions to the national coach.
The issue of Player of Indian Origin (PIO) was also brought to discussion with none being aware as to whether they are eligible for selection for the Indian national team!
Rahul Bali.
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