CHARLES D’SOUZA
MARGAO
“I think hosting U-17 World Cup will raise the profile of the sport here. People who have not seen football live can now see the best players in the world, the best countries in the world competing. It can give the whole country a lift, it generates so much exposure. Definitely the experience will help (in building a strong national team),” former Dempo coach Colaco said, adding: “To develop the sport, you need infrastructure, good coaches and competition and then it will be much easier to achieve quality.”
“India is on the verge of making some significant strides in improving itself on the football areana , and the Under 17 World Cup will certainly speed up the pace. With some of the world’s best young talent to land up on these shores ,it’s only bound to help the developmemt of the sport within the country. India could be getting a first hand look at some of the biggest footballing names in the years to come and its a great opportunity for India as host the U-17 FIFA World Cup,” the former East Bengal trainer added.
Colaco heaped fulsome praise on national English coach Stephen Constantine terming him someone who was diligently working for the development of football in the country.
Colaco, however, said he expects better results under th Englishman. “The good thing is that he already knows the players. He has involved with the Indian team for months and monitored the sessions.He knows where we need to work on. However, Constantine’s biggest acheivement was India beating Mynamar,” the FC Bardez coach added. Colaco added that Constantine stressed on bringing youth into the side and said the team learnt a lot under him.
“He is a good coach. You could really be open with him. He treated everyone the same way and was strict with both younger and senior players. One could talk to him as a coach as a friend,” signed off Colaco.
