|
|
2009 SAFF Cup: India Played Well - Bob Houghton
Bob the builder is pleased...
13-Dec-2009 9:10:25 PM
India U-23 side won the SAFF Cup under coach Sukhwinder
Singh but the man who took the important decision of sending the junior squad
to the tournament and got the turbaned coach on board was Bob Houghton, who has
already given India enough reasons to be happy about in the last three years
with a hat-trick of titles with two Nehru Cups and an AFC Challenge Cup
sandwiched in between.
While the decision was given a thumbs-up in the media, certain sections of the football fraternity kept murmuring against the ploy and believed that possibly India should have taken a few experienced lots to add depth into the squad.
However, the Englishman stuck to his principle and it once again fetched rewards for Indian football. Under the experienced coach, India has taken steps in the right direction and the SAFF Cup victory is the latest in the line.
Speaking to Goal.com, Bob Houghton praised the efforts of the boys and believed that the experience gained in the SAFF Cup tournament would be invaluable for the youngsters in the long run.
“They played well and looked solid. I’m pleased with the boys and their future. They got a good experience playing in the tournament,” said Houghton.
The India U-23 side is to participate in the AFC Challenge Cup next year.
Rahul Bali.
For more on SAFF Cup, please visit our SAFF Cup section!
While the decision was given a thumbs-up in the media, certain sections of the football fraternity kept murmuring against the ploy and believed that possibly India should have taken a few experienced lots to add depth into the squad.
However, the Englishman stuck to his principle and it once again fetched rewards for Indian football. Under the experienced coach, India has taken steps in the right direction and the SAFF Cup victory is the latest in the line.
Speaking to Goal.com, Bob Houghton praised the efforts of the boys and believed that the experience gained in the SAFF Cup tournament would be invaluable for the youngsters in the long run.
“They played well and looked solid. I’m pleased with the boys and their future. They got a good experience playing in the tournament,” said Houghton.
The India U-23 side is to participate in the AFC Challenge Cup next year.
Rahul Bali.
For more on SAFF Cup, please visit our SAFF Cup section!
Inside Goal.Com
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation
-
Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson
Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012
-
Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday