“I’m feeling privileged to be involved with the National Team. It’s a great honor for me and I’m excited about this opportunity. Throughout my career, I have always accepted newer challenges and I’ll take this on as well,” Pereira expressed on the sidelines of the ongoing preparatory camp in Goa.

“Since starting my coaching career with Vasco in the second division, I have always grabbed the opportunities that have come my way. I feel that is God’s plan for me.”

Pereira, who was at the helm of Vasco Sports Club during 2000-05 before switching to Mahindra United Club, has taken up the charge of India U-23 National Team before the U-23 continental championship qualifiers which will be held in Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Pereira lauded the former coach Stephen Constantine’s philosophy of “building the team for future” too, “That’s the way we should follow to go one step up. Our youngsters are enough talented but they need proper exposure against tougher teams. There must be a long-term plan for the future.”

He added, “Even our senior team have gelled so well because they know each other well. They understand each other well. It takes time but we need to focus on that. We have to give them time and most importantly, believe in the players.”

Apart from Anirudh Thapa, who scored a sublime goal against Thailand, Vinit Rai and Sarthak Golui were also part of the 23-member squad that represented the country in AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

On being asked how valuable would be these players for this upcoming competition, the 56-year-old coach mentioned, “Experience always counts. Yes, they have been with the senior team for the considerable time and they would bring in the much-needed experience to guide the young boys.”

He, along with assistant coach Venkatesh Shanmugam are now focused to find the right combination as soon as possible so that they can start planning around the players before the qualifiers.

“We have to finalize the final squad out of the players available. Then, we would need to frame the starting XI as well as the replacements. We have to improve tactically as well as technically. Simultaneously, we would look to adapt to the style of football which will help us develop as a team as well as get the best possible result.”

India will travel to Tashkent to lock horns with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the Group F of the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers scheduled between March 22 and 24, 2019.

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Back to 1997, Derrick Pereira and Venkatesh Shanmugam had been two of the pivotal members of the Salgaocar FC squad who won the Federation Cup overpowering East Bengal at their den, Salt Lake Stadium.

Fast forward 8 years, the same Venkatesh, who is fondly known as Venky was playing under the stewardship of the same Derrick Pereira in the star-studded Mahindra United club who had tasted every single silverware in India during their era. In 2008, they reunited once again in Pune FC before Venkatesh hung his boots in 2014.

“Venky was someone who had always contributed to the team and I really liked his style and game reading. He was an intelligent player throughout.”

Cut to 2019, these two football masterminds have joined hands together once again, but for a different purpose, for a different cause.

As the All India Football Federation has handed Derrick Pereira the daunting task of sailing India to their first-ever AFC U-23 Championship in history, no one could have been the most suitable football mind to share his acumen than the former National skipper Venkatesh Shanmugam.

“Now that both of us are together, we feel we’ll be complementing each other. Venky brings in a huge experience of working with Stephen Constantine which has helped him evolve as a coach with time. Given the circumstances, I’m sure we’ll enjoy the journey ahead”, Pereira stated.

“I still remember the Federation Cup win for Salgaocar FC, beating East Bengal in Kolkata was not easy and we felt like being at the top of the world. We have come a long way since then and now we have reunited once again”, Venkatesh commented.

Venkatesh added further, “Derrick Sir had accomplished a lot as a coach and as far as I know him, I feel it’ll be a great opportunity for these young boys to learn from this great football mind.”

On the other hand, goalkeeping coach Gumpe Rime had also plied his trade under Pereira in Vasco for a year (2000-01).

Pereira recalled, “Gumpe was a really tough goalkeeper and he was always eager to learn. Unfortunately, an injury cut short his time in Vasco and we brought in Rogerio Ramos. It’s great to work with him once again”.

Incidentally, Rogerio Ramos happened to be the former goalkeeping coach for India National Team for the last four years (2015-19).

“It’s my second stint with National Team setup and I am privileged to get this opportunity once again. Derrick Sir is someone who I always had high regards for and I can’t wait to start working with him as well as the young promising goalies”, Rime added too.

India are pitted against hosts Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan in the AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers which is scheduled at Tashkent between March 22 and 26, 2019.

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Also Read:INDIA U-23 NATIONAL TEAM CAMP KICKS-OFF IN GOA

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The camp is being held as part of India’s preparation for the upcoming AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers which are slated to be held in Tashkent from March 22, 2019.

38 players have been summoned for the camp with 19 have joined so far. The rest will be dropping in after finishing their respective club commitments, both at the domestic level and also at the AFC Cup.

Not less than 8 players who had represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, have also been called up. Overall, 11 players from India Arrows will be in action at the camp.

“It is important to get all the players together,” Coach Pereira maintained. “All the boys are coming back at the end of a long season. Ashique (Kuruniyan), Jerry (Lalrinzuala), Hitesh (Sharma) are ruled out. All of them will be badly missed,” he informed. “We need to check the niggles and fitness levels of all in the camp. We cannot afford to lose anyone anymore.”

Nishu Kumar, Anirudh Thapa, Mohd. Nawaz and Sairuatkima haven’t been able to join this camp owing to their club commitments, while Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahil Panwar and Jerry Lalrinzuala have been ruled out courtesy injuries and Hitesh Sharma is suffering from chicken pox.

The squad will be flying to Doha to play a friendly match against Qatar U-23 National Team before the continental championship qualifiers.

“I am very excited to play Qatar. I feel most of the boys from that team will go on to play in the FIFA World Cup in 2022. It will be a tough test.”

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