Coach Ivo urges setting up leagues for juniors

Ivo, as he prefers to be called, has been entrusted by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) to chart out a development programme for junior football in the country. As he braces for the difficult task ahead, he frowns on the late start made by Indian players.

"Under-8 should be the starting point. It will take about 18 years from then on for players to reach their prime and ready themselves for top international matches," the genial, jovial, pony-tailed coach reckons.

The 45-year-old former striker for Slovan Lubljana in the Slovenian league, was recommended by Fifa Sports Director Walter Gogg (a Swiss national) for the job and the AIFF appointed him a month ago.

Besides building an under-23 side for the Olympicqualifiers commencing in April next year, Ivo’s task will entail setting up a system to develop junior football in the country.

He will discuss various aspects on football in the country with AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi in Calcutta after the ongoing tournament in Goa before embarking on a comprehensive programme.

Ivo, who switched to indoor soccer after a knee injury ended his outdoor career prematurely, appreciated the assistance rendered by his deputy Nagendran — he played Santosh Trophy for Karnataka between 1963-73 and represented India at the 1969 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia — as he sets about whipping talent into shape in a vast and diverse country.

"I have been told to draw up a detailed programme covering age-groups under-16, 19 and 23 with a view to build strong national sides at those levels. But I will have a better idea on how to go about doing that after discussions with Dasmunshi and Nagu (Nagendran)," Ivo informed.

According to Ivo, youth soccer runs wild and free in thecountry, without proper training and organisation. "I have watched talented young players play village football in Goa. Many of them have potential but unfortunately there is no system to train them," he regrets.

"In my country, as in the rest of Europe, the youth leagues are so numerous that I have lost count of them. We, of course, have the national leagues for the under-16s and under-18s — something that must be set up in India as soon as possible."

"Then again, children should play competitive soccer for 10 months in a year and not just three months. This would help them develop skills faster," he added.

The coach, although placing academics ahead of a career in soccer, believes studies in no way ought to affect playing. European children study while travelling and in their hotel rooms after training. "A good student usually makes a good soccer player."

Ivo reprimanded his under-21 side that went down tamely to Iraq in the Rajiv Gandhi opener. While reflecting on that defeat, he laments theabysmal level of physical fitness and stamina that his wards posses.

He says, "Indian players will not cope with minimal fitness requirements at professional club level in Europe. As a matter of fact, your players will not even last 35 minutes against European footballers." Ivo is of the view that national camps must concentrate only on technical preparation, physical fitness must be worked upon throughout the year. The lack of fitness showed up so glaringly against Iraq as Ivo’s strikers and mid-fielders lacked ability to run hard and close the gaps.

"It is not just the defeat that disappoints me, it is the way we played,"Ivo laments. "Besides being unfit, I thought the players were lazy."

"I believe training methods must change — both at club level and national level," he advices.

"Instead of having four-hour sessions, very often carried out at half-pace, you must have intensive 90-minute workouts to improve the agility and stamina of your players."

Although Ivo has noticed the spirit ofmotivation among many of his players, he believes that a majority of them are "schoolboyish" when it comes to training. "Your players work hard only when they are being watched," he said.

Ivo forthrightly vented his anger at nine players failing to turn up for the Rajiv Gandhi camp. "I have asked the AIFF to suspend these players. It is very sad that Indian players ignore a chance to represent the country. In Europe, playing for the country is considered to be the highest honour. No player would turn it down."

Garnering expertise during a coaching course in Yugoslavia — one of soccer’s foremost exponents — Ivo emphasises on a high football IQ as a vital factor to succeed.

He detects that things are changing slowly but positively as his players, have begun soaking up the nuances of modern soccer. "Much of what I teach them is new but they are showing signs of understanding tactical methods. I believe providing players constant feedback helps. Not much of this was done before," Ivo explains.

Comingfrom a land of ethnic diversity himself, Ivo is well aware of the complex forces that hamper the progress of India football.

While he acknowledges that Goa possesses a rich soccer culture and tradition, Ivo wishes to build a fiercely proud side devoid of barriers.

"The team should be made up of 11 good players. It is not important whether they are from Goa, Punjab or Bengal or any other part of the country."