NEW DELHI: Designated to catch the imagination of
Pune City
fans in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season,
Francis Fernandes
, an India international, spoke about how the league has transformed the country's football culture. "The
ISL
is a great platform for us. With so many experienced players and coaches coming into the team and sharing their experience, we inevitably improve."
The fame and comparatively droopier pockets of Indian stars, though, has not been able to rescue the country's landslide or at least lack of forward movement - at the international level. India is currently perched 151 spots below world leaders Argentina. For Fernandes, the league wields a sword that cuts both ways. "While the ISL is full of glamour, one of the problems that the youngsters face is the overseas player rule," he said. Currently, each team is allowed to field six such players in their starting XI.
"Foreigners usually fill the key positions," said the 30year old. That leaves very little scope of actual playing time for the Indian players. Apart from the goalkeeper, only four outfield slots are left for the home-grown boys. Even the length of the league is far from ideal. Fernandes feels that a longer format would not only attract a more loyal fan base, but would also be a lot easier on the bodies of the players. "We have a very busy schedule in the ISL. We clock a lot of flight hours between a tightly-packed fixture list," the diminutive winger said. Last year, India had to play their World Cup qualifiers alongside the ISL. Fatigued bodies got little time to rest and more travel hours than they had bargained for.
But this is just part of the problem. "We barely get to play any friendlies. It is very important to understand each other's game, which is possible in training, but you have to test yourselves against serious opposition," the tawny Goan said, who earlier played for Vasco, Salgaocar and Dempo. The league, though, he believes will continue to grow stronger. And for now, perhaps, that's all that matters. The enthusiasm that it has mustered may inspire other rookies to share the dream that he once had. "With more youngsters choosing to play this sport, it will be good for us."