@goalkeepar I do agree. But as you know AIFF is not as rich as other football federations otherwise things would have been different. India U23 team will be playing against 3rd division clubs in Europe whereas Singapore U-23 team have recently played a practice match against German heavyweights Borrusia Dortmund.
Look how former world cup winning coach Marcello Lippi had made FC Guangzhou Evergrande the champions of Asia from nowhere. If India's national team had the required money and infrastructure then surely India would have become Asian powerhouse.
Let us hope India's foray into youth development program is a huge success.
Qualification for 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFC Asia Cup is not very far. Last time Indian faced UAE in 2011 for 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. Add 4 years to that, so we may see Qualifiers being played in 2015 end atleast. The main reason why Wim is so heavily involved in Asian Games squad is that he is looking for alternatives in our National Team. Thats why he chose Sunil Chhetri also in the squad to lookout for new upcoming players.
Would rather have Wim as he plays sustainable football, Not the hoofball percentage football like Houghton. Like the 4-2-3-1 formation that he plays with Sunil upfront and two wingers, Lenny & Mehtab as DM's. Its the players that need to perform, Nothing wrong with his tactics. Plus he visits matches, Gives importance to indian football in general ( Refer his comments on ISL and what it impacts on Indian national team) Also there arent favourites in his team, A player is fit then he gets a look in and puts emphasis on Youth.
Keeping in mind world body FIFA and Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) mandate to crack down on corruption, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Friday appointed Javed Shiraz as integrity officer.
"The AIFF is focused on upholding the core values of football such as fair play, achievement by merit and the uncertainty of the outcome of matches and competitions," AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said.
"Match fixing is a dangerous threat to the game, therefore, the AIFF is committed to protecting the integrity of all its competitions and enhance good governance across football in the country," he added.
Player's ratings of their coaches can't be taken too seriously. Firstly most Indian players have not played with top notch coaches. Secondly those who find place with a coach don't want to risk losing it under a different coach. Thirdly, due to the general psyche of Indians we normally rate Caucasians (white skinned foreign coaches) high. This is true for most spheres of our lives. Bob, toal, papas and even bulpin has support from his players.
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Its the players that need to perform, Nothing wrong with his tactics.
Plus he visits matches, Gives importance to indian football in general ( Refer his comments on ISL and what it impacts on Indian national team)
Also there arent favourites in his team, A player is fit then he gets a look in and puts emphasis on Youth.