Football News

According to Carlos Roberto Pereira da Silva says India would do well to aim at qualifying for the 2014 World Cup instead of focus 2010 edition of the quadrennial mega event.

"It is very important to spot talented youngsters now so that they will be prepared when the next cycle of World Cup qualification comes around," he said.

"The Federation and everybody else connected with football game should look at the bigger picture and have a macro vision, not a micro one," Pereira, who coached the famous Vasco da Gama club to national title in the 1970s, said.

India take on Lebanon on October 8 and 28 in the first round of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa, but Pereira said it was imperative that India planned ahead for the 2014.

Talent has to be spotted at a young age and groomed properly for the desired end, he said. "Players such as Bhaichung (Bhutia) and S Venkatesh won't be around by that time, so there is need to look for their replacements," Pereira, who has had coaching stints as far afield as Europe, Middle East and South-east Asia, said.