The gaffer maintains that youth development remains a key focus at the club in this interview with the club’s official website. Excerpts…
Your thoughts on the win against Shillong Lajong…
We could have taken a little bit more care towards the end of the game against Lajong. But three goals at home and a clean sheet is always a positive. We settled down in the second half with Shankar coming on to stabilize things a little. It was comfortable and a good three points really.
On Bengaluru FC’s start to the League…
We are here to win football matches. We work really hard and have been doing so since July. We leave no stone unturned as the aim is to win the League and that’s why everyone is here. We have got to keep going as we still have lots to improve upon.
On Bengaluru FC’s team composition …
We are a very young side. We have five under-22s and there are not too many sides in the country who have that kind of emphasis on youth. As a coach you have got to believe and help develop players. We took one under-22 off and brought on another in the game against Lajong. It is not all about winning, it is about developing players and we have still got time to improve.
On the attacking combination of CK Vineeth and Kim Song Yong …
We are trying to pick players in the right areas for the right game. At the minute, Kim being a physical and Vineeth being in good form and using his pace to link together is a good partnership. Udanta and Kim can also be a good partnership. Sunil (Chhetri) can play there if needed. Vineeth and Kim are doing well at the moment but we definitely have more options in that respect.
On midfielder Malsawmzuala’s performances so far…
Zuala has done well but he is still only 18 years old. Sunday was the first time he played in front of over 10,000 people so it’s a lot for him. He has a lot to improve and it is my job to put him in at the right time and take him out at the right times to make sure that no matter what happens, he doesn’t lose confidence. He is a good player who keeps showing up for the ball and works hard to retrieve possession when he loses it. I think he will do well for us in the future.
