India U-17 team’s new German coach Nicolai Adam on Thursday said that with the given resources, he is satisfied with what he has seen so far but at the same time lamented the level of competitiveness to play in the World Cup is not enough. “There are always some challenges and difficulties in building a team and to prepare for such a big event. There are no difficulties, but there are challenges. I have to build a team in next two and a half years which is strong enough to compete. But I think two and a half years time is not enough. It would have been better if I had more time but we don’t so we just have to deal with it,” he said.
Football as a sport has always attracted huge crowds globally but that hasn’t been the case in India and Adam wishes to see that trend change. “The bigger it is, the better it will be to enjoy the sport. I want mass participation in football in terms of spectators, players, boys and girls. We want India to become a powerhouse of football,” added the 42-year-old.
Nicolai arrived at the AIFF training centre in Goa on 9th April where he selected 20 players (17 outfield + 3 goalkeepers) to be in the ‘A’ squad. Talking about scouting, Adam said: “We definitely need more players. Scouting is a constant process. Where ever the ball will be rolling by the players (2000-01 born), I will be present or someone from my team will be.”
The team will be involved in four exposure trips including an AFC qualifier in September in India. The team will travel to Germany in the first week of June for the first trip where they will play five matches against clubs such as Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt. Adam has served as head coach of Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 national teams of Azerbaijan previously.