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India needs to change its structure drastically: Houghton

K. Keerthivasan

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Bob Houghton.

CHENNAI: Whatever may have been his success rate coaching the English and European clubs and National teams like China and Uzbekistan, Bob Houghton’s assignment with the Indian side is probably his toughest.

On the eve of the second friendly match against Chinese Taipei at the Nehru Stadium on Monday, the 60-year-old Houghton reiterated that the only way forward for Indian football is to restrict the top players to the I-League, Federation Cup, AFC competitions and international tournaments.

“India needs to change its structure drastically. The top (senior) players should not play in the Santosh Trophy,” said Houghton.

Keep them fresh

He added that the senior players should be preserved and not be allowed to compete in the Durand Cup, President’s Shield and State leagues. “Otherwise, it will be difficult for Indian football to improve and I don’t see any chance of India moving up the ladder. It will remain where it is. That (doing away with the numerous tournaments) is the only possible way,” Houghton said.

“By changing coaches every two years, Indian football will not improve,” he added.

Cautious and confident

On India’s chances in the fifth SAFF Cup to be held in Maldives and Colombo from June 3 to 14, Houghton said beating Maldives in Maldives and Sri Lanka in Colombo was not going to be a walk in the park. “It’ll be a big thing if we do that. We do have a chance to win the SAFF Cup.”

India’s tour of Portugal just before the Nehru Cup last year did wonders for the side, according to the coach. “Last time we played four games in Portugal and won all four. Those games really helped us to win the Nehru Cup,” said Houghton, who completes two years as India’s coach in June.

Houghton said the matches against clubs in Portugal this time will give his team the much-needed practice India is looking for ahead of the AFC Challengers Cup to be held in Hyderabad (qualifiers for the Asian championship) in July-August. In his two-year stint, Houghton has had his way with the players. More importantly, he has earned his name as a strict but lovable coach. Most of the top players like Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chetri and Climax Lawrence spoke highly about his unique approach that has yielded rich dividends.

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