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Exclusive Interview With Indian National Team Coach Bob Houghton
The experienced coach shares some of his insightful thoughts...
10-Feb-2010 8:16:00 AM
By Rahul Bali
As a journalist, one is always in search of that one quote, one sentence, which the interviewee has never said before. Something that goes beyond the mundane, something juicy that can be splashed across in the headlines and make a few heads turn.
In case you are looking for the above mentioned from Robert Douglas Houghton, look elsewhere. The Indian football coach talks sense rather than sensation. His responses are neither novel nor melodramatic; just matter of fact, take it or leave it.
This trait hints at person whose thoughts are crystal clear and knows exactly what he wants or where he is headed. It is a good reason for fans to feel safe about, knowing that the ship named Indian football is in capable hands. Houghton is keyed onto the limitations, the ground realities, has chalked out a development plan and is sticking to that.
Haven’t we heard of “What we think, we become,” from Lord Buddha.
Praful Patel: Taking An Interest In The National Team
There’s a difference though when you speak to the national coach this time around as a few things have started going according to plan. Houghton is particularly pleased about how promptly Indian FA president Praful Patel has acted upon a few of his suggestions.
“Before I left for South Africa, I explained to him that in the last year or so, we have gone backwards in our progress. The national team players were being played in the Santosh Trophy and the state leagues, the number of foreign players was increased and this was harmful," said Houghton.
“Right in the following Executive Committee meeting, some good decisions were made. I feel Praful Patel is the driving force for the national team’s progress."
But if the national team players were to miss the above mentioned leagues and championships, there would be too many voids in the calendar since the I-League has some extended breaks this season.
“There is a need to have a one central league where as many Indian boys can play. The I-League has to be played across the eight months and also has to recognize the FIFA days or else we can’t make progress. We are asking for 33 or 34 weeks with 30 rounds of games. It also gives the chance to spread out the Federation Cup as the schedule is often too tight.
“Other international teams are not available if you say you want to play in the middle of August,” points the Englishman.
But the debate just doesn’t end there as the clubs opine that those on the bench must be given a chance to play in the local leagues. The issue comes up when in the name of providing an opportunity to those warming the benches; the states decide to play the regulars.
Honesty Is The Best Policy
“It would be better if the states and clubs work in an honest manner. There’s nothing wrong by giving the players that are on the bench a chance to play in the state leagues. It’s good for them. The problem is that when you play your best team in the local league as it happens in Kolkata given that they want to win it.
“In Goa, it’s much better and players have appreciated the rule. Take for example, a Jewel Raja, he hasn’t played a single game in the I-League but has played in the state league, which is good,” illustrates Houghton.
And it’s not just this; Houghton cites an interesting statistic, which would convince even the staunchest critics to his view.
The Best Also Gets Rest, But Not In India!
“I got this amazing statistic the other day. Last season, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t start for more than 50% of Manchester United’s Premier League games. They rested him so that he can be ready for the big games. And this is the best player in the world! Sometimes, players play too many games and lose the spark. So when we organise the camp, the first month is spent to get the players on level footing so that they are keen and ready."
The Indian FA has decided to have 16 teams in the I-League next season and shall pick a team from Delhi and Bangalore to give it a more national feel, which has been missing for long.
“The I-League becomes much more national if the teams are spread out,” agrees the 62 year-old.
The present I-League is probably one of the most competitive seasons we’ve had, with not much to choose between the sides.
“The I-League is competitive as it’s very close at the top and the bottom as well. I mean if you see Vasco from last season who were struggling to win games, Viva Kerala, Pune, Lajong and Salgaocar have been better.”
Speaking of the national team, Houghton sounds excited about the Goal 2011 preparation programme, which gives him about eight months or so with the boys before the Asian Cup and also credits Patel for ensuring that the interests of the national team are guarded.
In The Land Of Vasco Da Gama
“The plan is to have a camp in Portugal for two months from July. I’ll be heading off to Portugal to check the facilities and get things organised. Thereafter, we return to India and play five friendlies in September following which we have the World Cup qualifiers in October.”
Houghton, though, will not get a chance to play on his favourite Ambedkar Stadium, where the team has won a hat-trick of titles and has gone onto become a fortress for the national team. The stadium will be in use of the Commonwealth Games, which means that the Indian FA will have to look for an alternate venue.
“What Ambedkar brings is an European atmosphere with the supporters being close to the field. The field is normally in a good condition except for the first game of the Nehru Cup and the capacity is about 20, 000, which we can fill in.
“I was suggested about Pune, where I will be visiting in March. I have heard that the training ground is good.”
And it’s not just the senior team, which is on his mind, but the twin junior sides as well, who have done reasonably well in the recent past by winning the SAFF Cup and reaching the semis of the South Asian Games.
The Bigger, The Better
“When I chose the SAFF Cup squad, I kept the size of the players in mind. If you see the starting eleven, almost everyone is physically strong. The idea is to develop these boys so that those who can play well can join the bigger ones to prepare for the Asian Cup."
For now Houghton is busy with his boys in the land of sand dunes giving them a trailer of what awaits them during the eight month preparation for the Asian Cup. And in case you are wondering why the eight month camp then here is a quote for you from Aristotle:
“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
In case you are looking for the above mentioned from Robert Douglas Houghton, look elsewhere. The Indian football coach talks sense rather than sensation. His responses are neither novel nor melodramatic; just matter of fact, take it or leave it.
This trait hints at person whose thoughts are crystal clear and knows exactly what he wants or where he is headed. It is a good reason for fans to feel safe about, knowing that the ship named Indian football is in capable hands. Houghton is keyed onto the limitations, the ground realities, has chalked out a development plan and is sticking to that.
Haven’t we heard of “What we think, we become,” from Lord Buddha.
Praful Patel: Taking An Interest In The National Team
There’s a difference though when you speak to the national coach this time around as a few things have started going according to plan. Houghton is particularly pleased about how promptly Indian FA president Praful Patel has acted upon a few of his suggestions.
“Before I left for South Africa, I explained to him that in the last year or so, we have gone backwards in our progress. The national team players were being played in the Santosh Trophy and the state leagues, the number of foreign players was increased and this was harmful," said Houghton.
“Right in the following Executive Committee meeting, some good decisions were made. I feel Praful Patel is the driving force for the national team’s progress."
But if the national team players were to miss the above mentioned leagues and championships, there would be too many voids in the calendar since the I-League has some extended breaks this season.
“There is a need to have a one central league where as many Indian boys can play. The I-League has to be played across the eight months and also has to recognize the FIFA days or else we can’t make progress. We are asking for 33 or 34 weeks with 30 rounds of games. It also gives the chance to spread out the Federation Cup as the schedule is often too tight.
“Other international teams are not available if you say you want to play in the middle of August,” points the Englishman.
But the debate just doesn’t end there as the clubs opine that those on the bench must be given a chance to play in the local leagues. The issue comes up when in the name of providing an opportunity to those warming the benches; the states decide to play the regulars.
Honesty Is The Best Policy
“It would be better if the states and clubs work in an honest manner. There’s nothing wrong by giving the players that are on the bench a chance to play in the state leagues. It’s good for them. The problem is that when you play your best team in the local league as it happens in Kolkata given that they want to win it.
“In Goa, it’s much better and players have appreciated the rule. Take for example, a Jewel Raja, he hasn’t played a single game in the I-League but has played in the state league, which is good,” illustrates Houghton.
And it’s not just this; Houghton cites an interesting statistic, which would convince even the staunchest critics to his view.
The Best Also Gets Rest, But Not In India!
“I got this amazing statistic the other day. Last season, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t start for more than 50% of Manchester United’s Premier League games. They rested him so that he can be ready for the big games. And this is the best player in the world! Sometimes, players play too many games and lose the spark. So when we organise the camp, the first month is spent to get the players on level footing so that they are keen and ready."
The Indian FA has decided to have 16 teams in the I-League next season and shall pick a team from Delhi and Bangalore to give it a more national feel, which has been missing for long.
“The I-League becomes much more national if the teams are spread out,” agrees the 62 year-old.
The present I-League is probably one of the most competitive seasons we’ve had, with not much to choose between the sides.
“The I-League is competitive as it’s very close at the top and the bottom as well. I mean if you see Vasco from last season who were struggling to win games, Viva Kerala, Pune, Lajong and Salgaocar have been better.”
Speaking of the national team, Houghton sounds excited about the Goal 2011 preparation programme, which gives him about eight months or so with the boys before the Asian Cup and also credits Patel for ensuring that the interests of the national team are guarded.
In The Land Of Vasco Da Gama
“The plan is to have a camp in Portugal for two months from July. I’ll be heading off to Portugal to check the facilities and get things organised. Thereafter, we return to India and play five friendlies in September following which we have the World Cup qualifiers in October.”
Houghton, though, will not get a chance to play on his favourite Ambedkar Stadium, where the team has won a hat-trick of titles and has gone onto become a fortress for the national team. The stadium will be in use of the Commonwealth Games, which means that the Indian FA will have to look for an alternate venue.
“What Ambedkar brings is an European atmosphere with the supporters being close to the field. The field is normally in a good condition except for the first game of the Nehru Cup and the capacity is about 20, 000, which we can fill in.
“I was suggested about Pune, where I will be visiting in March. I have heard that the training ground is good.”
And it’s not just the senior team, which is on his mind, but the twin junior sides as well, who have done reasonably well in the recent past by winning the SAFF Cup and reaching the semis of the South Asian Games.
The Bigger, The Better
“When I chose the SAFF Cup squad, I kept the size of the players in mind. If you see the starting eleven, almost everyone is physically strong. The idea is to develop these boys so that those who can play well can join the bigger ones to prepare for the Asian Cup."
For now Houghton is busy with his boys in the land of sand dunes giving them a trailer of what awaits them during the eight month preparation for the Asian Cup. And in case you are wondering why the eight month camp then here is a quote for you from Aristotle:
“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
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