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A Lot Of Positives To Take From South Asian Games - Indian Football's Technical Director Colin Toal
The technical director of Indian football speaks to Goal.com...
12-Feb-2010 7:38:00 AM
By Rahul Bali
The South Asian Games (SAG) sojourn for the India U-19 team was a positive one given that they managed to reach the semi-finals and that the other teams had more experienced sides. According to the rules of the tournament, every team was allowed to bring in their three senior national team players along with their U-23 side.
With India deciding to give the youngsters an opportunity to gain some valuable experience, winning the tournament was an aim, but not as important as letting the boys play at an international stage.
Speaking to Goal.com, Colin Toal said, “I think the tournament was very positive for us. Our performances were much better than the results.”
In case you begin to wonder as to how that’s possible, the Irishman illustrates stating that they dominated their opponents throughout.
“We played three games in five days in the group stages. In the first game we lost to Afghanistan by a goal, which was their only shot on goal. We had a perfectly taken goal but the referee disallowed it. Had that been given, the scenario would have been completely different.
“In the following match against Sri Lanka, we drew but they didn’t have a single shot on goal, which means that for 180 minutes there was just a single shot on goal,” points Toal.
The dominance of India paid-off in their final group stage game where they beat rivals Pakistan comprehensively with a 5-1 victory, which indeed did boost their confidence. However, the ground conditions at Chittagong was reportedly appalling and there was a possibility of teams pulling out of the tournament.
“Before the ball was kicked-off, the Pakistan coach asked us whether we would like to take our boys home because field was very bad. I said let’s play. The training field was worse and it wasn’t a great experience in that regard.”
What was noteworthy was that every member of the SAG squad played a game, which highlighted the fact that the idea was to give the youngsters a run-in.
“In the loser’s final against Maldives, we played everyone who didn’t play in the earlier games. Maldives had some senior players with the best player in south Asia – Ali Ashfag in their line-up. We did well against the much bigger, older boys. We were unlucky not to win.
“This shows the depth we’ve in that group. I wish that these boys go to the clubs where their talent will be realised.”
The SAG tournament was probably the last affair for the U-19 team and now the search for the next set of boys will begin.
“That’s the process of youth development. It’s a pity that we can’t keep them for long. Out of the 20 boys, 17 of them have been with us for over three years. Continuity is vital for youth development. There is a possibility of them getting involved in the Olympics next year, whose dates haven’t been finalized and neither has the cut-off dates been given,” informed Toal.
In March, the next set of U-16’s will be selected in Goa from more than 70 U-14 boys while Kolkata might host the senior nationals, from where the future U-19 group will be selected.
Things do look bright for the future with the youngsters being under the able hands of Colin Toal, who has over 25 years or so of working with the youth.
With India deciding to give the youngsters an opportunity to gain some valuable experience, winning the tournament was an aim, but not as important as letting the boys play at an international stage.
Speaking to Goal.com, Colin Toal said, “I think the tournament was very positive for us. Our performances were much better than the results.”
In case you begin to wonder as to how that’s possible, the Irishman illustrates stating that they dominated their opponents throughout.
“We played three games in five days in the group stages. In the first game we lost to Afghanistan by a goal, which was their only shot on goal. We had a perfectly taken goal but the referee disallowed it. Had that been given, the scenario would have been completely different.
“In the following match against Sri Lanka, we drew but they didn’t have a single shot on goal, which means that for 180 minutes there was just a single shot on goal,” points Toal.
The dominance of India paid-off in their final group stage game where they beat rivals Pakistan comprehensively with a 5-1 victory, which indeed did boost their confidence. However, the ground conditions at Chittagong was reportedly appalling and there was a possibility of teams pulling out of the tournament.
“Before the ball was kicked-off, the Pakistan coach asked us whether we would like to take our boys home because field was very bad. I said let’s play. The training field was worse and it wasn’t a great experience in that regard.”
What was noteworthy was that every member of the SAG squad played a game, which highlighted the fact that the idea was to give the youngsters a run-in.
“In the loser’s final against Maldives, we played everyone who didn’t play in the earlier games. Maldives had some senior players with the best player in south Asia – Ali Ashfag in their line-up. We did well against the much bigger, older boys. We were unlucky not to win.
“This shows the depth we’ve in that group. I wish that these boys go to the clubs where their talent will be realised.”
The SAG tournament was probably the last affair for the U-19 team and now the search for the next set of boys will begin.
“That’s the process of youth development. It’s a pity that we can’t keep them for long. Out of the 20 boys, 17 of them have been with us for over three years. Continuity is vital for youth development. There is a possibility of them getting involved in the Olympics next year, whose dates haven’t been finalized and neither has the cut-off dates been given,” informed Toal.
In March, the next set of U-16’s will be selected in Goa from more than 70 U-14 boys while Kolkata might host the senior nationals, from where the future U-19 group will be selected.
Things do look bright for the future with the youngsters being under the able hands of Colin Toal, who has over 25 years or so of working with the youth.
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