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AIFF to set up squad to supplement senior team
Facing dearth of replacements for the frontliners, the AIFF has planned to form an under-22 side to supply for the senior squad.
Facing dearth of replacements for the frontliners in the national soccer team, the All India Football Federation has planned to form an under-22 side to provide a supply line for the senior squad.
"We will form an under-22 side to act as a feeder line for the national squad in case of injury-led lay offs of frontliners," AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco said on Monday.
Asked if the proposed second-string side would act as a buffer zone like the India A team in cricket, Colaco said " Yes, it will serve a similar purpose".
He said the under-22 squad would be selected from among the members of the national age-group teams.
The proposal to create such a squad was originally mooted by some national selectors in view of the problems faced by chief coach Stephen Constantine and the selection committee in finding replacements for injured key members like Bhaichung Bhutia, Ashim Biswas and Jo Pol Anchery, in the World Cup qualifier against Japan on September eight.
Highlighting the crisis, Selector (east zone) Prasun Banerjee said "we cannot field inexperienced youngsters against a super side like Japan. As for seniors, there is hardly anybody around who matches international standards."
