Indians are fit and fast: Robben [The Hindu]
Dutch star Arjen Robben, who was quite impressed with the Indian players, said he enjoyed the experience of playing in the Audi Football Summit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.
Robben said the Indians gave Bayern a good fight.
“The Indian players are fit and have good speed as well. If they get (more) facilities, they can do even better,” he said.
QUALITY PITCH
Robben also liked the Nehru Stadium pitch. “It was a quality pitch and we played some good football,” he said.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes also complimented the home players despite the huge difference in standard between the sides.
“The Indians looked good initially. They were clever in defence and closed the gaps. We could have scored a few goals in the second half.”
However, Heynckes did not name any particular Indian player for praise.
“We were playing at a different level. So, it was difficult to judge who their best player was.
“It was a lively 90-minute contest. Their level was not the same as ours.
“But, it was a good test for our boys… It was great to see the passionate fans,” added Heynckes.
WELL PREPARED
The Bayern coach said his team was well prepared for the remaining part of the Bundesliga after some solid training in Qatar and a few competitive games.
Indian coach Savio Medeira said his boys were overawed by Bayern's star players in the first half. “They did not play up to their level. They tried to come out of their shell, but could not do it.
The players were also not communicating well. In the second half, fresh legs proved a lot better for the team.”
Medeira said the performance would help the Indians a great deal.
“It was the first time they were playing against one of the best clubs in the world. Whatever the scoreline, it will give them a lot of confidence,” the coach said.
SHOWING COMMITMENT
Medeira also heaped praise on Baichung Bhutia after the veteran striker played for a majority of the match in what was his final international appearance.
“He has always shown commitment. If the other Indian players show that kind of commitment, there will be many more Baichungs.”
Bhutia used the occasion to thank all the footballers with whom he had played so far. “For the last 16 years, each and every player has made a great contribution in my career,” he said.
Title sponsor Audi gave Bhutia a car for his contribution to Indian football
The only player who attracted attention in the 1st half was Sushil Singh. He is really talented. He must have been performing in the practice camps and thats why he gets selected. He needs a bit of confidence and our trust
The only player who attracted attention in the 1st half was Sushil Singh. He is really talented. He must have been performing in the practice camps and thats why he gets selected. He needs a bit of confidence and our trust
He's talented but mentally very weak,I guess he reads too much into fans opinion instead of performing on pitch.Now that he scored goals in SAFF Cup the criticism has come down and his confidence is growing,but still his finishing is worse than Uttam Rai so he's not of much use in NT also the reason why I-League clubs not interested in him.
On Sunday, spectators who coughed up anything between Rs 100 to Rs 350 - in fact, some of them paid in thousands - to watch big boys Bayern Munich face India were in for a shock as they entered the stadium.
Every seat had a thick coat of dust; some of them further garnished with bird droppings. Hapless spectators had no option but to wipe off the dirt, and in some cases literally scrape it off, in order to watch the game. It was a sorry sight to watch young and old, men and women, use their handkerchiefs or waste paper to clear the dust.
That's not all. The washrooms were in terrible condition: smelly, dirty and unusable. No sweeper seemed to have set foot inside them in a long, long time.
Earlier in the morning, those having booked their tickets online had a difficult time. Only one counter was set up for all tickets of different rates, leading to a long queue.
On Sunday, spectators who coughed up anything between Rs 100 to Rs 350 - in fact, some of them paid in thousands - to watch big boys Bayern Munich face India were in for a shock as they entered the stadium.
Every seat had a thick coat of dust; some of them further garnished with bird droppings. Hapless spectators had no option but to wipe off the dirt, and in some cases literally scrape it off, in order to watch the game. It was a sorry sight to watch young and old, men and women, use their handkerchiefs or waste paper to clear the dust.
That's not all. The washrooms were in terrible condition: smelly, dirty and unusable. No sweeper seemed to have set foot inside them in a long, long time.
Earlier in the morning, those having booked their tickets online had a difficult time. Only one counter was set up for all tickets of different rates, leading to a long queue.
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is this the way to treat football fans, during the ODI between india & west indies @ indore , a local football club players were asked to clean the stadium for 2.75 rupees per seat..NDTV showed the video also.
how do u expect a full capacity for i league games when the stadium condition is poor for a NT game..pathetic
A nice dissection of India NT based on India V Bayern Munich match. Hoping for further discussion on the type of play and changes required, keeping AFC challenge cup in mind.
A nice dissection of India NT based on India V Bayern Munich match. Hoping for further discussion on the type of play and changes required, keeping AFC challenge cup in mind.
The physique was definitely matter of concern or else scoreline could have been 2-0.Anyway next generation of players look stronger but still we have to improve in height,need defenders,strikers of minimum 186(6'1) who can jump well in air.Germans were absolutely solid they showed us what exactly it takes to play in top competitions.
We have got the 5 FIFA-AIFF Academies coming up in 2012,have to make sure we close this physique gap when they scout for talent.
A nice dissection of India NT based on India V Bayern Munich match. Hoping for further discussion on the type of play and changes required, keeping AFC challenge cup in mind.
The physique was definitely matter of concern or else scoreline could have been 2-0.Anyway next generation of players look stronger but still we have to improve in height,need defenders,strikers of minimum 186(6'1) who can jump well in air.Germans were absolutely solid they showed us what exactly it takes to play in top competitions.
We have got the 5 FIFA-AIFF Academies coming up in 2012,have to make sure we close this physique gap when they scout for talent.
I dont think height is a issue. If height was the issue then likes of Messi, Xavi, etc would not be playing in top teams. I agree with stamina and strength point though, that Indian players lack stamina and strength. For me, India lost to BM majorly because of tactical and technical failure. The tactical inexperience really showed during the match.
I think by height Ash meant in defense because our defenders are normal height but we need tall players, players who can be as tall as Per Mertesaker from Arsenal.
Comments
Dutch star Arjen Robben, who was quite impressed with the Indian players, said he enjoyed the experience of playing in the Audi Football Summit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.
Robben said the Indians gave Bayern a good fight.
“The Indian players are fit and have good speed as well. If they get (more) facilities, they can do even better,” he said.
QUALITY PITCH
Robben also liked the Nehru Stadium pitch. “It was a quality pitch and we played some good football,” he said.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes also complimented the home players despite the huge difference in standard between the sides.
“The Indians looked good initially. They were clever in defence and closed the gaps. We could have scored a few goals in the second half.”
However, Heynckes did not name any particular Indian player for praise.
“We were playing at a different level. So, it was difficult to judge who their best player was.
“It was a lively 90-minute contest. Their level was not the same as ours.
“But, it was a good test for our boys… It was great to see the passionate fans,” added Heynckes.
WELL PREPARED
The Bayern coach said his team was well prepared for the remaining part of the Bundesliga after some solid training in Qatar and a few competitive games.
Indian coach Savio Medeira said his boys were overawed by Bayern's star players in the first half. “They did not play up to their level. They tried to come out of their shell, but could not do it.
The players were also not communicating well. In the second half, fresh legs proved a lot better for the team.”
Medeira said the performance would help the Indians a great deal.
“It was the first time they were playing against one of the best clubs in the world. Whatever the scoreline, it will give them a lot of confidence,” the coach said.
SHOWING COMMITMENT
Medeira also heaped praise on Baichung Bhutia after the veteran striker played for a majority of the match in what was his final international appearance.
“He has always shown commitment. If the other Indian players show that kind of commitment, there will be many more Baichungs.”
Bhutia used the occasion to thank all the footballers with whom he had played so far. “For the last 16 years, each and every player has made a great contribution in my career,” he said.
Title sponsor Audi gave Bhutia a car for his contribution to Indian football
He's talented but mentally very weak,I guess he reads too much into fans opinion instead of performing on pitch.Now that he scored goals in SAFF Cup the criticism has come down and his confidence is growing,but still his finishing is worse than Uttam Rai so he's not of much use in NT also the reason why I-League clubs not interested in him.
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On Sunday, spectators who coughed up anything between Rs 100 to Rs 350 - in fact, some of them paid in thousands - to watch big boys Bayern Munich face India were in for a shock as they entered the stadium.
Every seat had a thick coat of dust; some of them further garnished with bird droppings. Hapless spectators had no option but to wipe off the dirt, and in some cases literally scrape it off, in order to watch the game. It was a sorry sight to watch young and old, men and women, use their handkerchiefs or waste paper to clear the dust.
That's not all. The washrooms were in terrible condition: smelly, dirty and unusable. No sweeper seemed to have set foot inside them in a long, long time.
Earlier in the morning, those having booked their tickets online had a difficult time. Only one counter was set up for all tickets of different rates, leading to a long queue.
is this the way to treat football fans, during the ODI between india & west indies @ indore , a local football club players were asked to clean the stadium for 2.75 rupees per seat..NDTV showed the video also.
how do u expect a full capacity for i league games when the stadium condition is poor for a NT game..pathetic
A nice dissection of India NT based on India V Bayern Munich match. Hoping for further discussion on the type of play and changes required, keeping AFC challenge cup in mind.
The physique was definitely matter of concern or else scoreline could have been 2-0.Anyway next generation of players look stronger but still we have to improve in height,need defenders,strikers of minimum 186(6'1) who can jump well in air.Germans were absolutely solid they showed us what exactly it takes to play in top competitions.
We have got the 5 FIFA-AIFF Academies coming up in 2012,have to make sure we close this physique gap when they scout for talent.
I dont think height is a issue. If height was the issue then likes of Messi, Xavi, etc would not be playing in top teams. I agree with stamina and strength point though, that Indian players lack stamina and strength. For me, India lost to BM majorly because of tactical and technical failure. The tactical inexperience really showed during the match.