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To a large extent, however, the publicity given to the Under-21 team has been negative. From several quarters questions have been raised as to how a team can be brought in like this into the league? How can a team function in the big league with just kids? How can they flaunt the various rules that need to be followed by a club in the I-League? All negative.
Watching the Indian Arrows team play remarkably well against a good outfit in Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club in Bangalore last week, one could go beyond the negativity and focus on the positives. It was clearly evident from their play that this team of young Indians was special as they displayed a great attitude, brilliant work rate, a commitment to play for each other and more importantly, talent.
Credit for shaping the team — with an average age of just 19-and-a-half years — into a cohesive, sharp outfit must go to their coach Desmond Bulpin. "I have a bunch of guys here who have the talent, the desire and the wont to play the game of football. I’m extremely proud to coach them. What I cannot understand is how anyone can discourage this group of guys. How is that possible!?
“I have never seen a country where the future of your sport is looked down upon. These kids and the kids that will come after them are the future of Indian football. They must be given as much encouragement as possible. And do not forget, every single one of them is an Indian. There is not a single foreigner in this team," the big Englishman pointed out.
"But I suppose I must say thank you to some of our critics. They have actually motivated my boys to do well. To prove a point to them and show everyone what they are capable of and that they belong in the top level."
Praise for Houghton
India coach Bob Houghton has had an up and down five years with the National team. He has won a couple of tournaments and guided the team to the Asian Cup after a gap of 26 years, while his comments on the administration and lack of infrastructure has led to the possibility of him losing his job. But it is the vision of the Englishman that has led to the Arrows plying their trade in India’s most premier league and his compatriot felt that due credit should go to Houghton.
"This was Bob’s vision completely. Right from the word go, he’s had this idea. It has taken a while to bear fruit, but I’m glad that it has happened. We need a man such as Bob at the helm. Because as far as I’m concerned, Bob is the best manager/coach that I have worked with. And trust me I have worked with a lot of them in my 20-odd year career," the former Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers coach said.
The future looks bright with several of the Indian Arrows making their debut for the India senior team in the recently concluded AFC Challenge Cup and coming out of the tournament with flying colours. An experience that is sure to stand them in good stead. "We have several good players. Everyone in the squad here is capable of playing for India one day. I don’t really want to single out one player. But I think Raju (Gaikwad) is someone with a very bright future. If only he was a little bit bigger, I tell you, he could have played for any club in the English Premier League.
"That is what India is lacking though, the height and physical strength that are necessary to ply your trade in international football. So what we need to, perhaps, start doing is to look for players with the height and physique that will help them compete in the big leagues and work with them. I think that is going to be the way forward for Indian football."
“What I would like from these players in five years’ time is to see them thriving in other I-League teams and hopefully once this group goes out, it will make way for another set of youngsters, all equally keen to make it at the highest level.”