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India - August 07, 2023 07:00India's coach in talks with FutsalplanetJoshuah Vaz: we will become a powerhouse in Asia soonby Luca Ranocchiari - Futsalplanet.com editor

All photos courtesy: AIFF

Prior to India's debut in the AFC Futsal Cup 2024 Qualifiers and with a couple of friendlies vs Bahrain on the horizon, we had a quick chat with the recenlty appointed Indian Futsal National team coach Joshuah Vaz in order to know more about the team creation and expectations for the future.

When were you appointed as India's coach and what's the AIFF current project for futsal, regarding both the national team and the local competition?

I was appointed as the Head Coach of the Indian National Futsal Team officially on the 5th of July 2023. AIFF currently are looking to expand the duration of the National Futsal Club Championship which will be in its 3rd season this year. The Chairman of the AIFF Futsal Committee Mr. Vijay Bali also expressed interest in organising a State wise competition for different age groups in the coming season which will help boost the growth of Futsal arround the country.


Which is your background in futsal and in general, in sport?

I started Coaching Futsal in 2012 after my father Mr. Socorro Vaz completed AFC Futsal Level 1 Coaching Certificate Course. We started out own academy YFA which is still running till date and is the only Futsal Exclusive Academy for ages 4-16yrs Boys and Girls in the whole subcontinent of India. I am also the only AFC L1 Coach Educator for AIFF.

I was a professional football player for many years and also have played in the I league. I've played allot of Futsal tournaments unrecognised and recognised ones also and was the Player cum Coach for Mohammedan SC in the last two editions of the National Futsal Club Championship in India.



How do you rate the level of futsal in the country? How are you selecting the players for the national team?

There has been a lot of growth over the past two years thanks to AIFF organising the first two National Futsal Club Championships. To really rate the level of Futsal we will only understand this after our friendly series against Bahrain in August. The players will get a taste of higher level Futsal and that will help us understand what we need to improve in order to compete with the best in Asia.


India will take part in the 2024 AFC Futsal Cup Qualifiers for the first ever time, which is a great news. You've been drawn in group E hosted by Tajikistan with Palestine and Myanmar as well. Do you know your gropu rivals and what are the expectation for the tournament?

Yes we will make our debut in an international competition in October in Tajikistan. Yes we have studied our opponents and understand what is required from us. As a Coach I will always demand from my players a lot in training and competition and although we are rank outsiders to go through we will put our best foot forward. Our goal is to qualify for the main tournament in 2024 and if that means needing to punch above our weight than we are ready to do that.


How much time do you believe it will take to India to compete at higher levels and do you believe the country has the the potential to become a powerhouse of futsal in Asia and not only?

With proper structure and system for developing Futsal at grassroots and Youth we can definitely see a consistent Indian Team which can compete with the best on a regular basis. I am open to develop Futsal through AIFF on a full time basis in all parts of India. We must work together to develop more quality Coaches that can develop quality players in the next 3-5 years for the national team and will also facilitate to make better Football Players through Futsal for our Nation. Definitely we will become a powerhouse in Asia soon.




































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