East Bengal FC came out of the toughest regional qualifiers in the Reliance Foundation Developmental League National championships to reach the final and are now set to represent India in the Next Generation Cup. Scheduled from August 1-4, the Next Gen Cup will see teams from England, India, and South Africa come together for the competition hosted by the Premier League. Before EBFC takes on Crystal Palace in the opening fixture, News18 Sports sat down with the coach Bino George, also the assistant coach of the senior side to know about the insights into the team’s preparations and the significance of platforms like the RFDL Championship for nurturing young talent.
Excerpts:
Can you talk to us about the key factors that led to Eat Bengal’s near-successful campaign in the RFDL National Championship, even though they ultimately lost to Punjab FC in the final?
As you know, there were zonal matches happening all over India. I believe one of the toughest zones was our group, which included teams like Mohun Bagan, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur, and Mohammedan Sporting, among others. For the last two years, we have been champions. We are getting a lot of matches in the CFL (Calcutta Football League), and I scouted some players from Kerala, Manipur, and other places. We played the CFL matches, which is one of the toughest leagues in India. This provides more opportunities, and wearing the East Bengal jersey brings a lot of passion and support, even for local matches. This kind of support boosts the players. My role is to promote the players, and our head coach also attends all matches to evaluate them. We discuss which players are performing well, and this kind of motivation helps the boys play well in each round. For example, we played fantastic games against Northeast United and Delhi FC before reaching the semi-final, and although we lost to Punjab, the young boys fought hard. They are beginning to understand the system and philosophy, which is important as they transition to the senior team.
What are the team’s preparations like for the Next Generation Cup, especially as you will be playing against Premier League youth teams in the UK? What strategies and tactics are you focusing on, and what are your expectations for these young players?
It’s a very good platform because they are playing against some of the best under-23 teams from the world’s top leagues, like Crystal Palace and Tottenham. Even though these teams are strong, the opportunity to play against them is invaluable. Our team is fully fit, as we have been playing CFL matches. I’ve told the players that this is a unique opportunity to make their mark in the East Bengal history books. I’m pushing them to give their best, and we’ll see what happens.
The RFDL itself is a significant platform for youth talent in India, with regional qualifiers leading to the finals and opportunities like the Next Generation Cup. How important is the RFDL championship for the development of young players in India?
India previously had an under-21 tournament, but after that, there weren’t many opportunities at a high level apart from the ISL. It’s crucial for teams to have a strong B team to produce talent; otherwise, teams end up spending big money on players. The RFDL has been great, with 56 teams participating, and we played almost 18-20 games. It’s essential for players to experience different teams and philosophies. I’m very happy with the RFDL because it’s an important platform for player development.
As an assistant coach with the senior team, what influences or strategies from the senior team do you bring to the youth team? How do these practices benefit the younger players?
The facilities and resources at the senior level are usually more extensive than for the B team. My motivation for the players is to get them contracts with the senior team, which can lead to financial improvement and better facilities. Their ultimate goal is to play in the top league and potentially represent the national team. The most recent changes in selection have opened up more opportunities for ISL players to be considered for the national team. My goal is to push these young players to reach that level.
Speaking of the players, can you highlight a few individuals who have stood out during the RFDL Championship and whom you’re particularly excited about in the Next Generation Cup?
One fine example is Vishnu PV. He was part of the Reserve team and played in the RFDL last year. Now, he is a star at East Bengal, known for his dribbling skills in the ISL. Vishnu has also played for the under-23 national team. Before, he was relatively unknown, playing in the Santosh Trophy, but now he’s playing at the top level in India and representing the national team. It’s a great motivation for everyone involved.
From a coaching perspective, it’s one thing to develop the players’ skills to match other teams, but these are young kids, and mental toughness is crucial. How do you address this aspect of coaching, helping them become mentally strong?
In my view, it’s a long process. The attitude displayed in training reflects in the game. I create situations in training, sometimes applying pressure or shouting to simulate tough conditions. This approach helps them handle various situations in matches. The mentality developed in training is crucial for their performance during games.
You speak with such passion about this team. One final question: what is the most rewarding aspect of coaching a young team like this for you?
I always say that when a player reaches the national team or earns a good contract, that’s my salary. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a player I’ve coached achieve such success. That’s my motivation—seeing my players reach new heights.
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