145;Finding strikers is a problem146;

The Black Pearl8217;s absence is a huge void. But an individual is an individual8230;someone like Newcastle United8217;s Alan Shearer, who has decided he will not play for England but still as a club player is always among scorers, giving one reason and hope to pursue him back into the national side.

8226; Do you see Ashim Biswas stepping into Vijayan8217;s shoes?

No one can step into anyone8217;s shoes. Biswas, yes he is good8230;if he reaches to even half of what Vijayan has done, it would be good.

8226; Are you too dependent on Bhaichung Bhutia?

Yes and no. Bhutia is a great player and a down-to-earth fighter when it comes to the country, a must on any team. But if he8217;s not there, someone else will be there.

8226; Strikers has always been our worry8230;

Finding anyone outside the current crop means sleepless nights for any coach in India. All twelve clubs of the NFL have made it a priority to use their foreigner quota in strikers. So there is a shortage when one has to look at 20-odd foreign strikers.

8226; So how do we overcome this?

Well, you cannot blame the clubs, their priorities are clear. But probably the AIFF could impose a ban on foreigners, as was the case in Malaysia for two years, before reimporting them or maybe just reduce the quota to two. It8217;s a major concern.

8226; What do you expect out of this World Cup qualifying group?

It8217;s a tough group and everybody has aspirations of their own. But India would probably have a more realistic chance of success in the Asian Cup or the pre-Olympic qualifiers.