Watching Korea and Japan football teams at the World Cup, as Asians, we might as well think, where is India? Korea remain the most successful and consistent Asian teams at the World Cup while Japan's J-League started in 1993. In between these 17 years, they have played in four World Cups.
Indian football administrators need not organise a travel to Portugal or Spain to draw inspiration for our success-starved Indian team who are getting ready for the Asian Cup in January. We don't know the link between Asian Cup and European destinations. The best thing AIFF would have done was to take a cue from Korea and Japan. Let me tell you, both these teams including North Korea have a selfless approach to do something for football under their home-grown coaches.
As for us, we are still to start our preparation. The tentative plan to travel to Portugal (where the month-long camp would be held) is from June-end. India is going to play South Korea in Asian Cup at Doha. Is the six-month preparation good enough to challenge Korea, Australia and Bahrain in Asian Cup? This World Cup would have given our own football pundits a great opportunity to follow the Korean game. Are we really taking this task seriously? Have we ever thought of understanding Japan and Korea's football culture? Their strategy, planning and a dedicated approach. For the 'pundits' at AIFF, understanding the Korean model would require an iota of intelligence. It's not elementary arithmetic. It's like solving some tough algebraic equations or some geometrical theorems. And to understand mathematics, one has to study it and devote a lot of time.
As for Korea, the officials turned back to a home-grown coach in December 2007. They must have thought that the time was ripe to adapt the lessons learned from the Dutch while restoring a native influence to give the best of both worlds. As it turned out, Huh was the right man to do the job by building a balanced squad which is regarded as being by far the strongest ever Korean team in World Cup history.
Let me tell you who heads the technical committee of Korean football. Lee Hoe-Taik. He was the coach in 1990 where Korea slumped to defeats against Belgium, Spain and Uruguay. And after some failures to win a match in the next two World Cups by their home grown coaches, it was inevitable that the Koreans would turn to the experience and know how of foreign coaches. Understandably, after the learning process was over, the Koreans brought in their own experienced coaches at the helm.
One of the reasons why Huh could ring the changes so successfully in such a short period of time is that the he has considerable experience of World Cups. He participated at Mexico 1986 as a player where he faced Diego Maradona. He joined the national squad as a fitness trainer in 1990. Huh was then an assistant coach in 1994 where the Taeguk Warriors finally began to make an impact on the world stage with draws against Spain and Bolivia and a loss to Germany. Huh's loyal, determined character makes him different from the rest. He doesn't rests on his laurels.
Last week, Huh created a small piece of history by becoming the first Korean coach to win a World Cup match. Korea's fifth victory in World Cup did not only mark their third consecutive winning start in the event but also showed what they are capable of on their own.
Are we serious about our own football team? Sometimes, I get this gut feeling that we are running a fake show. Everything seems to be fake. Football promotions. Promise. Deliverance. Determination. How come these smaller nations are so good in football. There is definitely no short cut recipe for success. Hard work, determination and honesty have paid off for Korea, Japan and even for North Korea who have qualified after 1966. Why can't India have a good and a determined side?
I guess, AIFF and Bob Houghton would know better.
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