Follow the Japanese model, Dunga advises India

Kolkata - Brazil’s soccer World Cup winning captain and former coach Carlos Daunga has a prescription for lifting Indian soccer standards – follow the Japanese model.

Responding to a query from India’s famous footballer of yesteryears Chuni Goswami for improving the country’s performance, Dunga harped on his experience in the east Asian nation where he played the J-League between 1995 and 1998.

“When Japan started their big push in soccer, they hired lot of experienced and good players from abroad. This was to help their own young players to learn. Coaches from Brazil also went to Japan. India also can follow Japan’s example,” he said.

“The youngsters should also be given training and exposure outside. Now Japan have become a force to reckon with,” he said.

Another piece of advice was to lay focus on youth football.

“You must develop the youth football. They are the future and they should play with fun,” said Dunga, now on a two-day promotional trip to the city.

Dunga, who arrived in the city early Monday, soaked in the Durga Puja spirit, and did a jig at a marquee.

He also inspected the Salt Lake stadium turf where the former greats from his nation are to lock horns with ex soccer greats from other parts of the world Dec 8.

“He was satisfied with the ground and other arrangements,” said an organising committee member.

The West Bengal government would felicitate Dunga Oct 23 at the Netaji Indoor stadium.