New India coach lowers expectations for youthful national team

Newly-appointed, but interim, Indian football coach Armando Colaco presented to the media to defend and explain his "new beginning" program for India's international campaigns.

"Youngsters need experience and for that there has to be a beginning. I have a lot of respect for the seniors and they will be call back if they perform well. But then again, I have to begin, and the federation will stand by me ...

"I request all of you to be patient. The complexion of Indian football cannot be changed overnight. Given proper time and framework, I would say everything is possible. The boys from the Indian Arrows will form the nucleus of the future national squad. I have analysed each and every player and decided on my squad."

Colaco said he wants to apply the "possession football" he employs in his I-League club Dempo but clarified that he had not talked about playing like FC Barcelona.

"I will definitely try and install my way of football. Each coach has his own philosophy. We have seen Dempo playing in the AFC Cup," he said. "But I was misrepresented and I did not mean that I want the Barcelona FC style of play. Barcelona belongs to another planet. It's impossible to play like Barcelona. No team can't ever emulate that style. I just want the national team to play like Dempo."

Colaco said he will seek leave from his club duties if the All India Football Federation gives him extension from the current four-month contract.

Forty-two probables will go through their paces at the national camp, for the 2012 World Cup qualifier against UAE next month, at the Ambedkar Stadium from Thursday. India is also expected to play four international friendlies with Maldives (10 July) and Qatar (17 July) already confirmed.