THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Koevermans: We are on the right track

Indian national team training session

The Indian national team had its first training session at the Jaypee Greens in preparation for the 2012 Nehru Cup on Friday. India coach Wim Koevermans is satisfied with the progress so far and is expecting a lot in the days to come.

“The boys are much better than what they think they are,” Koevermans told at the sidelines of the training session.

“We are on the right track and the atmosphere in the camp is good. Everyone is working hard,” the Dutchman added.

Koevermans divided the training into various sessions. The players started off with match related basics, before the concluded the training with a practice match.

Experienced Syed Rahim Nabi has stated that the training under Koevermans has been a learning experience itself. “Wim has been insisting on building up from defence,” Nabi told. “I have been with the National Camp for long but some of the tips as far as positional sense is concerned have been an education for me.”

Nabi had also a few words on highly rated youngster Alwyn George: “Mark my words, he is a special talent. He has it in himself to be one of the biggest stars of the future.”

“I have been learning a lot. The U22 stint in Muscat and my experience in the national camp under Koevermans has helped me immensely,” Alwyn reciprocated.

The Indian team will face AIFF’s Developmental Team Pailan Arrows in a practise match today. The kick-off is scheduled for 16.00 IST.

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