Legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan is not surprised that India remain a work in progress in football, given cricket’s overwhelming popularity, but believes the country can produce top-level players and become a stronger force if it invests in the grassroots and continues exposing its youngsters to high-level competition. Forlan, who played for Mumbai City in the Indian Super League 2016, has returned to India in a different role, as head coach of Uruguay, who face India in an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
But you have a lot of young talented players,” Forlan said at his pre-match press conference here on Monday. “Your main sport is cricket, so it’s different. Football has been here for many years, of course, but it’s not the main sport. “I think this kind of game, playing against Brazil, Uruguay, and also having a strong league, would improve the development of young players.
The World Cup 2010 Golden Ball winner believes India’s footballing development can accelerate through a combination of a stronger domestic structure and matches against elite opposition.
In the near future, India could be playing important and crucial games,” he said.
We saw the other day, I think in the 20th or 30th minute, plus something, the goal of Brazil. But you could see some combinations, some long balls and some good players that, if you give them time and space, can damage you and can play well.
“Like I said, you have to be careful.
“I remember that every time the team was playing here, the stadium was full. Like in Kerala, Goa, many cities in the Northeast. I played in the Northeast as well. “The national team is playing this kind of friendly games, playing against Brazil.
And they are really passionate about football,” he said. In the future, they can have more games like this, where they can learn and make a better team,” he said.
