IMPHAL, July 5: The semi-professional Indian football team will acquire the professional standards within four or five years, stated AIFF Staff Coaches (AFC-B) license holder Ngangkham Bitan Singh today in an interview with media persons.
The factors favouring the change in Indian football team is the success of I-League and establishment of various regional football academies. These academies are coaching young footballers in the age of U-12, U-14 and U-16, he noted.
Bitan further maintained that the India could rise up to fifth spot in the Asia ranking. U-16 Indian team will be qualified for the world cup if it reaches up to the semi-final of Asia qualifying round. Four countries will participate in the Asia Cup.
The Indian team has undergone a three-year training camp at Florida and it has won the IMG Cup 2012. The team is currently undergoing training at Goa where he himself is the assistant coach for U-16, he stated.
Maibam Jimmy from Manipur is also a member of U-16 Indian football team.