India can play like Barcelona: New coach Colaco

It may be a far cry to expect the Indian football team to play in the style of UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona, but India's new football coach Armando Colaco feels it is a possibility in years to come. "I'm going to make the Indian team play like the world's greatest team,  Barcelona. It's still a long way but  I'm going to make a beginning on that front because I know that I can change their way of playing in the long run," said Colaco, a keen follower of the Spanish League's champion outfit.

Armando, who also coaches I-League outfit Dempo (he has been released from there to coach the Indian team) is proud that his style of ensuring players keep ball possession, create chances and score at will, which he created with the Goa club is something the Catalans do too. "I am an avid Barcelona follower and I'm glad that  something I started off in Goa while coaching Dempo SC is is similar to Barcelona's style of play" said Colaco, who made the headlines recently when he dropped as many as 12 senior players, including stalwart Baichung Bhutia, from the World Cup qualifiers' probables list.

"I am here to change the way football is played in the country. I know that it will take a hell lot of time and that's why I've chosen youngsters, who can play for the next 5-10 years rather than seniors. "I am trying to make a change and I want the best team for the future. It's a beginning and I realise that things may not work instantly. "Baichung is a great player and I respect him. But he has not been playing good football for sometime now," added the Goan.

According to the Colaco, it's improper to blame the AIFF always for infrastructure woes. "Every club club participating in the I-league has the responsibility of developing the best infrastructure and a system of their own." Furthermore, Colaco is keen to encourage national players to play club football abroad. "We lack in endurance, strength and nutrition and if our players can gain from experience abroad, and come back to spread their knowledge for the betterment of the sport in the country, so be it," he signed off.