Mumbai: Iran retained their epithet ‘Asian Giants’ as they thrashed India 3-0 in a crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday. While the mass is holding on to the ‘rank’ debate (Iran being 40, and India 155 in FIFA rankings), former India coach Armando Colaco believes the Stephen Constantine army is still under construction.
“Iran have been on the international circuit for a long time. How much time did Constantine get with the players? This is a new team, let him develop these boys for some time. Coaches are no magicians, give them time,” says Colaco, who won his first game as manager of India against Qatar (2-1) in a friendly in 2011.
Coming into the match with losses against Oman and Guam, the Sunil Chhetri-led side did save the humiliation (experts predicted a 6-0, 8-0) and were seen in high spirits.
However, Colaco – regarded as one of India’s best managers after tasting success at I-League clubs, Churchill Brothers and Dempo – asserts that All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the clubs should work in tandem.
“Now all these players will go back to their Indian Super League (ISL) teams and train for I-League. This schedule is really a problem for the development of Indian football,” adds Colaco.
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Since 2001, the Indian team has played just a meagre 16 friendlies (excluding Nehru Cup matches). “Constantine is building a team, a youthful team. Clubs don’t release players for national duty. If he works hard with the team, we can expect results after three or four years. Football is all about understanding and working together as a unit,” he added.
Colaco also questioned the idea of merging ISL with I-League. “Its good Indian footballers are getting a chance to rub shoulders with the greats. But as far as development is concerned, how many foreign players are allowed to play in the ISL? And how many players are allowed to play in the I-League, it’s three plus one. How will you merge these two leagues?” says the 62-year-old coach, who was the first I-League manager to guide an Indian team into the semifinals of the AFC Cup (in 2008).
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“This is a competition (ISL-I League). When I-League clubs and the FIFA cadre met in Delhi, they said ISL could not be accredited by FIFA because it is a festival. ISL clubs must go for youth development,” adds Colaco.
