As the Indian football team gears up to lock horns with German giants Bayern Munich in Bhaichung Bhutia's farewell match, Climax Lawrence feels former coach Bob Houghton has instilled enough confidence in the side to take on any opposition.
Injury will keep India's key players out of the match against Afghanistan in the AFC Challenge Cup in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Opposition from national football coach Bob Houghton and captain Bhaichung Bhutia has led to a rethink by the All India Football Federation on the five-foreigner quota in the I-League. The AIFF has also sought views of state associations on the issue.
The Indian football team will participate in the White Caps Nation Cup, in Vancouver, Canada, its first tournament under new coach Bob Houghton.
The budget constraints notwithstanding, the All India Football Federation is looking for a technical director whose profile is bigger than former national coach Bob Houghton, according to AIFF officials.
The AIFF will announce the appointment of former Dutch international Wim Koevermans as the Indian football coach besides discussing issues concerning hosting of the Nehru Cup during its executive committee meeting in New Delhi.
The influence of iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar transcends any sport in India and national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia says he draws inspiration from him to bring laurels for the country.
With national coach Bob Houghton reportedly disagreeing with the proposal of India playing friendlies against African sides, All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Emergency Committee could not finalise the schedule for the India's international matches that were due to be played in the next two.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has promoted Savio Medeira as the coach of Indian team, till the expiry of his contract in May 2012.
Former Dutch international Wim Koevermans is all set to take over as the chief coach of the Indian football team for a two-year term, ending a more than a year's search for a full-fledged occupant for the top job.
Dempo have refused to release Joaquim Abranches after they were requested by the AIFF to send him for the national camp in Dubai less than 15 days prior to the Asian Cup 2011.
Described as a "nonsensical" tournament by national coach Bob Houghton, Santosh Trophy will not feature any member of the Indian senior football team this year.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has taken strong exception to the outbursts by Dempo's striker Joaquim Abranches and Viva Kerala's midfielder N P Pradeep against the national body.
India's English football coach Bob Houghton says state associations will have to be brought into the fold if India wants to finally achieve the aim of playing in the 2018 World Cup.
Despite losing 0-4 to Australia, India earned respect for their doggedness from their formidable opponents who said Bob Houghton's wards deserved to be in the Asian Cup football tournament, the continent's biggest football event.
Coach Bob Houghton feels defending champions India will be the team to beat in the Nehru Cup football tournament which gets underway in Delhi on August 19.
The Indian football team will play against Qatar and Syria on December 19 and 26 respectively in what will be their last two international friendlies in the lead upto the Asian Cup in January next year.
Lack of international matches and two recent losses to Thailand have hit India hard. Bob Houghton's side plunged 22 places and now occupy the 160th spot in the latest FIFA rankings.
India's probable football team for next season has many players returning from injury.
India, who tallied 173 points, are ranked 22nd among Asian countries, above teams like Yemen and Lebanon, to whom Bob Houghton's boys lost in the first round of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
The AIFF dropped as many as 13 senior players who were part of the 23-member squad for the Asian Cup in Qatar early this year. Most of the youngsters, who were part of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying tournament in Malaysia, were named in the probables' list.
Hosts India have been grouped with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for the second edition of the AFC Challenge Cup.
His agent Simon Bayliss said the 22-year-old striker is not interested in playing for India and is all set to pursue his career in England.
Team manager Pradeep Chowdhury's out-of-the-blue decision to part ways with the Indian football squad has not gone down well with national players, who are preparing in Dubai for the Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Doha from January 7.
Back at their happy hunting ground, India would look to make amends of their solitary goal loss to Thailand last week when they take on the same opponents in their second international match in the build-up to next year's AFC Asian Cup in Qatar at the Ambedkar Stadium on Wednesday.
Mohun Bagan coach Carlos Roberto Perreira said too many local fixtures is detrimental to the development of Indian side.
The touring Indian football team went down 0-1 to Portuguese second division side Clube Desportivo de Mafra in their second practice match of the week at the Mafra ground in Lisbon on Thursday. Mafra striker Bonifacio scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute to hand India only their second defeat in the two-month training-cum-competition tour of Portugal.
India's leading league clubs have ignored a plea from national coach Bob Houghton to rest players from some matches to keep them fresh for internationals.
India dropped seven places to 143 in the latest FIFA rankings following the 0-3 loss to Japan in the Asian Cup qualifier in Bangalore.
The star striker decided to join the ongoing camp in Kolkata, reversing his retirement plans from international soccer.
Striker NP Pradeep 's 43rd minute strike gave the hosts a 1-0 victory over Syria in the final.
India coach Bob Houghton said the crucial Nehru Cup football match against the West Asian will be a real assessment of his team.
India beat Bangladesh by a solitary goal to register their second straight victory in the Nehru Cup football tournament.
The national team's improved performance will be vital to tap growing corporate support.
India will tour Portugal later this month and then stage an international tournament to help improve the national team.
India soccer team will tour Portugal next month and then stage an international tournament to help improve the national team, coach Bob Houghton said.
Bob Houghton's team was thrashed 7-1 in the Asian Cup football qualifying match.
The two stalwarts of Indian football failed to measure up to coach Bob Houghton's high fitness demands and were axed from the team for the Asian Cup qualifier.
India climbed two places to 143 in the latest FIFA rankings and is placed 26th in Asia. Argentina are ranked No 1, ahead of South American rivals Brazil and world champions Italy.
A win against Syria in the final of the Nehru Cup will certainly pave the way for bigger and better things in the future.
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