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.
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.
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.
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.
All India Football Federation president, Praful Patel on Tuesday dismissed reports that national coach Bob Houghton has put in his papers after being shoddily treated by the AIFF.
National coach Bob Houghton on Wednesday said time has come for India to start building world class football stadium and then bid for 2022 World Cup if the country wants to lift the profile of the game, just like United States did after 1994.
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.
India football captain Baichung Bhutia believes the Englishman is the best coach the team has had for a long time and he should be given a second tenure. Houghton's three-year contract expires in May 2009 but Baichung wants the widely respected former Fulham midfielder to be given another tenure as his continuation will only "help Indian football."
Hosts India have been grouped with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for the second edition of the AFC Challenge Cup.
Indian football coach Bob Houghton said the country had to do away with outdated tournaments and focus on development of the game.
India's probable football team for next season has many players returning from injury.
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 coach Bob Houghton has advised striker Sunil Chhetri to first play in continental Europe and then think of plying his trade in England.
As per the blueprint submitted to the All India Football Federation, India's football team coach wants tournaments like the century-old Durand Cup to be played during the pre-season between July and August, so that teams can use it as a preparatory ground ahead of the I-League's September start.
National coach Bob Houghton termed India's AFC Challenge Cup victory as the culmination of a determined effort by his charges and the football establishment to reach the Asian elite stage. By winning Asia's second tier tournament after a 4-1 thrashing of defending champions Tajikistan, India qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup. Houghton said his charges were the deserving winners.
Mohun Bagan coach Carlos Roberto Perreira said too many local fixtures is detrimental to the development of Indian side.
India's football captain says Bob Houghton is the best coach he's played under.
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.
Having achieved his task of putting India back on the radar of Asian football, national coach Bob Houghton has now set sights on the qualifiers of the 2012 London Olympics, set to kick-off in 2010. 'Bob the Builder' has already identified some potential players and is hopeful that the I-League will throw up some more promising youngsters for the Olympic team.
India football coach Bob Houghton heaped praise on his charges for their "immense desire to win" in difficult conditions. India rode on an 82nd minute goal by striker Sunil Chhetri to beat Myanmar 1-0 and book a berth in the final of the of the eight-nation AFC Challenge Cup tournament, the winner of which will qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup.
India coach Bob Houghton conceded his team was lucky to earn a point against defending AFC Challenge Cup champions Tajikistan in Group A on Friday. "In some ways you could say that we were lucky," said Englishman Houghton. "The early goal for Tajikistan surprised us and when we went into the attack we were vulnerable at the back.'
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.
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.
Despite pocketing crucial three points, India coach Bob Houghton was displeased with the profligacy of his forward line against Bangladesh in the ONGC Nehru Cup football tournament in Delhi on Monday.
India beat Bangladesh by a solitary goal to register their second straight victory in the Nehru Cup football tournament.
Star striker Bhaichung Bhutia, who said he would quit international football, joined the national camp in Kolkata.
The star striker decided to join the ongoing camp in Kolkata, reversing his retirement plans from international soccer.
India's English football coach Bob Houghton says if Bhutia is fit and available he will always be in his team.
The national team's improved performance will be vital to tap growing corporate support.
Much against the wishes of national football coach Bob Houghton, the next edition of the I-League will feature 12 teams.
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.
The Indian football team will participate in the White Caps Nation Cup, in Vancouver, Canada, its first tournament under new coach Bob Houghton.
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.
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's new football coach said Baichung Bhutia's absence provides the new players an opportunity to prove themselves.
Bob Houghton is set to be appointed India's football coach ahead of former Ireland boss Brian Kerr
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