NEW DELHI: The Indian youth football team (U-16) will be competing in the final round of Asian Championships for the very first time.
Over the last one year, the team, under the guidance of technical director Colin Toal, performed really well in the qualifiers to earn a ticked to the main round to be played in Tashkent from October 4.
The team, which has been clubbed with Korea, Indonesia, Syria in Group B, will leave for the Uzbeksitan capital on Wednesday.
The team's display against Saudi Arabia and Lebanon deserves special mention as also their recent performance against Manchester United's youth team who were held to a 3-3 draw.
TOI spoke to former India captain and U-16 goalkeeping coach of the team, Tanumay Bose, on the team's prospects.
Excerpts:
Can we expect some impressive results in the Asian Championship?
Well, it is a continuous programme of learning where winning or losing is not so important. But we still hope for a good result. The team has developed into a confident unit under Colin Toal. If we continue with our programme, we can expect improvement in our status in Asia.
Describe the Manchester experience during the team's England tour.
The tour was of immense importance for the boys. They played against the likes of Everton and Manchester United youth teams. They have the best youth development schemes in the world. The experience will surely help the boys in Tashkent.
The tour must have also helped the Indian coaches ?
Our coaching staff too has learnt a lot after watching the British teams. How they prepare, their style, how they develop skills. I want to convey my thanks to AIFF for organising such tours. Last year we travelled to Germany and this year we toured the US. From these tours, we got some pictures of the European and American styles.
So the boys are shaping up well for the future?
Definitely. Out of the total matches we played during the last one year including the qualifiers in Saudi Arabia, we lost only once (against Everton FC) in 2008. Since the senior team has qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup, some of these boys might break into the senior squad by the time competition begins.
Who are the standout players in this squad?
I can't pinpoint a particular player since the method that we've adopted under Toal is different. It is total team game, not dependent on any individual.
India's road to AFC final round:
Drew with Iraq 2-2; Beat Sri Lanka 6-0, Beat Lebanon 3-0; Beat Saudi Arabia 3-0; Beat Bhutan 4-0.
Source:Timesofindia.com
Over the last one year, the team, under the guidance of technical director Colin Toal, performed really well in the qualifiers to earn a ticked to the main round to be played in Tashkent from October 4.
The team, which has been clubbed with Korea, Indonesia, Syria in Group B, will leave for the Uzbeksitan capital on Wednesday.
The team's display against Saudi Arabia and Lebanon deserves special mention as also their recent performance against Manchester United's youth team who were held to a 3-3 draw.
TOI spoke to former India captain and U-16 goalkeeping coach of the team, Tanumay Bose, on the team's prospects.
Excerpts:
Can we expect some impressive results in the Asian Championship?
Well, it is a continuous programme of learning where winning or losing is not so important. But we still hope for a good result. The team has developed into a confident unit under Colin Toal. If we continue with our programme, we can expect improvement in our status in Asia.
Describe the Manchester experience during the team's England tour.
The tour was of immense importance for the boys. They played against the likes of Everton and Manchester United youth teams. They have the best youth development schemes in the world. The experience will surely help the boys in Tashkent.
The tour must have also helped the Indian coaches ?
Our coaching staff too has learnt a lot after watching the British teams. How they prepare, their style, how they develop skills. I want to convey my thanks to AIFF for organising such tours. Last year we travelled to Germany and this year we toured the US. From these tours, we got some pictures of the European and American styles.
So the boys are shaping up well for the future?
Definitely. Out of the total matches we played during the last one year including the qualifiers in Saudi Arabia, we lost only once (against Everton FC) in 2008. Since the senior team has qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup, some of these boys might break into the senior squad by the time competition begins.
Who are the standout players in this squad?
I can't pinpoint a particular player since the method that we've adopted under Toal is different. It is total team game, not dependent on any individual.
India's road to AFC final round:
Drew with Iraq 2-2; Beat Sri Lanka 6-0, Beat Lebanon 3-0; Beat Saudi Arabia 3-0; Beat Bhutan 4-0.
Source:Timesofindia.com
