New Delhi:
I-League top side Dempo is planning to rope in a Syrian international, who played in last month's Nehru Cup, after the All India Football Federation allowed clubs to recruit an Asian as fourth foreigner from this season, coach Armando Colaco said.
The AIFF has recently given the green signal to Asian Football Confederation's rule that clubs in the continent can have four foreigners, including an Asian.
Star-studded Dempo, who have at least half a dozen India internationals and top draw foreigners in Roberto da Silva Mendes and Ranty Martins, are looking for Syria national team midfielder Abdul Razak Al Hussain who is now playing for top Syrian club Al Jaish.
Colaco said he needs a midfielder to work with Mendes when Climax Lawrence or any other Indian player in his side leaves for national camp, which will be quite frequent in the coming two seasons as the country is preparing for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, and he is in touch with Al Hussain's coach.
"Al Hussain is a very good utility player and I observed him closely during the Nehru Cup. We need a midfielder to distribute the ball and supply to the strikers. I have spoken to his club coach and I am hoping to sign him this season. He is a free player and we can sign him," Colaco said of the 23-year-old midfielder who has been playing for the Syrian national side since 2005.
"I cannot count on the Indian players all the time because you never know when they will leave for national camps. The AIFF has been planning for long national camps to prepare for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. So looking out for foreigners is a good option," added Colaco, who is here with his side for the Durand Cup.
Dempo won the inaugural I-League but finished fourth last season and Colaco is looking ahead to do well in the third edition this season starting on October 1.
"Winning I-League is the ultimate aim for any club in India. We are just preparing for the I-League by taking part in the Durand Cup. we have a few new combination this year.
Mahesh (Gawli) is partnering with his India team-mate Anwar Ali for the first time at the club level, the same is in the case of Ranty and Chhetri. Chhetri is shaping up well and so I am hopeful that we will do well in the I-League," he said.
On skipping the August 30 to September 12 IFA Shield in Kolkata, Colaco said he did not want to "kill" the players by making them play a lot of tournaments before the I-League.
"All these IFA Shield and Durand Cup are just preparations for the I-League. That (I-League) is the big thing. Playing in Durand Cup is enough for the preparations and I don't want to kill them by also making them play in the IFA Shield," he said.
The AIFF has recently given the green signal to Asian Football Confederation's rule that clubs in the continent can have four foreigners, including an Asian.
Star-studded Dempo, who have at least half a dozen India internationals and top draw foreigners in Roberto da Silva Mendes and Ranty Martins, are looking for Syria national team midfielder Abdul Razak Al Hussain who is now playing for top Syrian club Al Jaish.
Colaco said he needs a midfielder to work with Mendes when Climax Lawrence or any other Indian player in his side leaves for national camp, which will be quite frequent in the coming two seasons as the country is preparing for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, and he is in touch with Al Hussain's coach.
"Al Hussain is a very good utility player and I observed him closely during the Nehru Cup. We need a midfielder to distribute the ball and supply to the strikers. I have spoken to his club coach and I am hoping to sign him this season. He is a free player and we can sign him," Colaco said of the 23-year-old midfielder who has been playing for the Syrian national side since 2005.
"I cannot count on the Indian players all the time because you never know when they will leave for national camps. The AIFF has been planning for long national camps to prepare for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. So looking out for foreigners is a good option," added Colaco, who is here with his side for the Durand Cup.
Dempo won the inaugural I-League but finished fourth last season and Colaco is looking ahead to do well in the third edition this season starting on October 1.
"Winning I-League is the ultimate aim for any club in India. We are just preparing for the I-League by taking part in the Durand Cup. we have a few new combination this year.
Mahesh (Gawli) is partnering with his India team-mate Anwar Ali for the first time at the club level, the same is in the case of Ranty and Chhetri. Chhetri is shaping up well and so I am hopeful that we will do well in the I-League," he said.
On skipping the August 30 to September 12 IFA Shield in Kolkata, Colaco said he did not want to "kill" the players by making them play a lot of tournaments before the I-League.
"All these IFA Shield and Durand Cup are just preparations for the I-League. That (I-League) is the big thing. Playing in Durand Cup is enough for the preparations and I don't want to kill them by also making them play in the IFA Shield," he said.
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