Need to change strategy: Houghton

But if that dream has to become a reality,then Houghton sees a need for a change in strategy with regard to building teams for the future. “By the time the 2018 World Cup qualifiers begin in 2015,many of our current players will be nearing their 30s. We need to start focusing on the current Under-19 squad. It is not that the current set of players are not talented. But when in comes to long-term planning,the age factor needs to be kept in mind,” the India national coach said.

Houghton gave the example of the 1998 Asian Games where India fielded a full-strength squad while Japan and South Korea sent their Under-23 squads. “They did not win the tournament,but the team they built up was the one that went on to play in the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002,” he said.

Houghton went to add that he had proposed the idea several times to the AIFF but they hadn’t taken in action. “If we keep thinking of small things we will never be able to progress. We need to be thinking of the long term. Even if we lose a few matches we need to be thinking of the payoff.” he said

Though,India is to play Namibia and Gambia in the capital following Wednesday’s game against Thailand at Ambedkar Stadium,Houghton is keen that the team moves to Pune where they play Yemen and Vietnam. After that the national team is to move to either Dubai or Qatar before the Asian Cup. Speaking after a training session at a Delhi school ground Houghton reiterated his dismay about the substandard venue. “This ground is good enough for a club team,certainly not for national team. Already our team has many injuries to worry about and I am afraid our players can pick up more injuries over here,” he said referring to the hamstring injury Renedy Singh picked up while training on Tuesday which ruled the midfielder out of the match against Thailand.