Houghton blames lack of international exposure for India's downslide

New Delhi, June 4 (UNI) Virtually disowning his responsibility in Indian football's downslide in the past one year, national coach Bob Houghton today came down heavily on India's lack of international exposure due to a ''faulty'' calendar.

India's senior side played only three games last year, two against Japan and one against Saudi Arabia in the AFC Asia Cup qualifiers which saw the country languishing at 165th spot in the latest FIFA rankings.

Asian Games matches and Olympic qualifiers are under 23 and under 21 affairs respectively and they do not count on FIFA rankings calculations.

''Last year the senior side virtually played no football.We played only three games. The national side was last together in October in Bangalore for the Asia Cup qualifier against Japan. So, naturally the rankings will silde,'' Houghton told reporters at a media interaction here.

But, the experienced Englishmen who had coached national sides of Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and China, said India will play at least 15 'A' level international matches in the new season, all of which will be counted in calculating rankings.

''Since this is not an Asian Games and Olympic (qualifier) year, we will have around 15 games starting from the ONGC Cup in August in Delhi, followed by SAFF Games in Colombo and Maldives in December and AFC Challenge Cup in March next year besides three World Cup (0120) qualifiers,'' said Houghton who took over from Syed Nayeemuddin in June last year.

''In the next 12 months, we will make a huge difference in the rankings and for that to achieve the next two or three months are crucial.'' He was optimistic of India doing well in the AFC Challenge Cup, a tournament featuring countries which are ranked below 15 in Asia.

''Two finalists will book a berth in the 2011 AFC Asia Cup finals. That is a big tournament and we hope we do well in that tournamnet,'' said the 58-year-old Englishman who took China to their maiden World Cup finals in 2002.

Houghton also came down heavily on India players turning up for local league games just ahead of national assignments.

''Can you imagine, eight players turned up for Kolakata League just six days before AFC Asia Cup qualifier. This is unacceptable under any circumstances. I don't think in any country this would have been allowed.

''Playing too many games by players who would do national duties will increase their pronness to injure,'' he said, citing examples of Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence who did not play under him for most part of last season.

''There was a group of players who for various reasons did not play much last year. Because, they could not recover fron their injuries after playinf too many games,'' he added.

Houghton suggested to change the local leagues to under 21 tournamnets, besides expressing reservations of top players taking part in competitions like Durand Cup and Santosh Trophy.

''You have to make compromises for the sake of Indian football. You have a tradition of football at club level such as Durand Cup and Santosh Trophy but I am not happy at players assigned national duties playing in such tournaments,'' he said.

UNI