Three Pune FC players Amrinder Singh, Nikhil Kadam and Thongkhosiem Haokip have been shortlisted in the India Under-23 team for the upcoming AFC U23 Championships Qualifiers to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 27.
The trio have put in consistent performances throughout the season and have flourished under Coach Karim Bencherifa at Pune FC.
Speaking about their selection, Coach Bencherifa discussed the importance of these international competitions, what makes the Pune FC players’ stand out from the rest among other things in a quick chat.
Excerpts;
Your take on how competitions at the continental level (AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers in this case) are important in a youth player’s progress?
For most of the players, the experience will be a first-time, so for them it is important to gain exposure and continue their development in becoming better players. Moreover, it’s an emotional experience as well; as these players are representing India and shall have a different feeling when they stand up to the National Anthem. I wish Amrinder (Singh), Nikhil (Kadam), (Thongkhosiem) Haokip and even Denachandra Meitei (ex-Peninsula Pune Football Club Academy graduate) and the entire India National Team the best of luck in the AFC qualifiers.
Pune FC has three players who have played consistently this season in the final India U23 team. What according to you has helped the players improve so much at Pune FC?
All youth players develop and shape their careers in phases; first through the passion they build for the game as a kid that pushes them to start playing. Next is the club - youth or academy - they join where they start working and honing their basics. The third is important; it is the phase when they join the Senior team where the demand and expectations are higher and so is recognition. And finally, it comes to the international stage, either continental or international club competitions or when they represent the National team. All three players have excelled in each phase and I hope they continue doing so with the National Team. I would like to mention that there are many more talents in Pune FC that need to be looked at.
What are the factors that helped these Youth players stay up at the top-level and give consistent performances day in and day out?
The main factor is they themselves. They have worked hard, made sacrifices, performed and deserve where they are now. But they should be more ambitious and dream more.
The 19 to 23 age-bracket is a career-defining phase in a sportsman’s career. How important is the role of the Coach role during this period?
I would defer, I rather think that players at the age of 19 to 23 should be ready. For me, the most important phase is 12 to 16 years. The French who produce so many top players call it the ‘golden-age for football’. During this phase the players should get all the need fulfilled, and the basics, especially technic perfected… and that is what the academy and youth development programmes should focus on.
