By Abhishek Roy, IANS
Ludhiana : Indian coaches have often been resentful of foreigners being given charge of the national football team but after the Nehru Cup success some have become Englishman Bob Houghton’s ardent supporters.
“I think Houghton deserves credit. He has done a fine job with the national team over the past few months. Now we can see the results,” Mahindra United coach Derek Pereira told IANS on the sidelines of the 29th Federation Cup football tournament here.
Pereira was asked to be Houghton’s deputy when the Englishman took charge last year. But the former defender was already committed to Mahindra. Army XI coach Stanley Rozario got the job instead.
“It was quite unfortunate for me to miss the chance to work with him. I had already committed myself to Mahindra. But I am sure if I had got a chance it would have been a learning experience,” said Pereira.
The Mahindra coach said Houghton was successful in keeping the national team together for a long time, which worked wonders.
“Houghton got a chance to change their mentality and made them realise the pride of wearing the national colours,” said Pereira.
JCT Mills coach Sukhwinder Singh, who has had two stints with the national squad, also said that the Indian team has become more attacking, adding Houghton had showed them the way.
“Houghton showed us how to train a national team. I think we should be able to cash in on the success,” said Singh.
“Under my coaching, India defeated the UAE (United Arab Emirates), who were 66 places above India. We did tremendously well in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, but no one made an effort to cash in on the success,” lamented Singh.
“This time we shouldn’t repeat the mistake. Houghton should be given all the facilities which Indian coaches never received.”
East Bengal coach Subrata Bhattacharya also had words of praise, saying that Houghton has given a lot of freedom to the players, which did the trick.
“Players need freedom and Houghton was prepared to give it. If you don’t give the players freedom, they won’t perform well,” he said.
But Bhattacharya also warned that the momentum gained from the Nehru Cup triumph should not be halted.
“Winning is a good habit and we have to keep the momentum going. Houghton’s efforts will be tested when India face Lebanon in the 2010 World cup qualifiers. It will be a big moment for the national team because if we don’t do well then our World Cup dreams will be over. We have to wait for another four years,” he said.
The East Bengal coach also said that Houghton has a good set of support staff, which is healthy sign in Indian football.
The Englishman also seemed to have impressed a Brazilian as well.
Mohun Bagan’s Carlos Roberto Pereira da Silva said: “I have been in India for the past two years. I think after Houghton took over, the national team has done pretty well. He should be given more time.”