Bengaluru FC coach Renedy Singh believes Indian football needs more exposure against stronger footballing nations and says Japan offers important lessons in technical development, discipline and intensity.
The youth teams of Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC travelled to Japan from July 11 to July 23 as part of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) pathway. The tour gave India’s top Under-21 clubs an opportunity to test themselves against Japanese youth sides, including J.League academies.
Bengaluru FC enjoyed an unbeaten campaign, beating Giravanz Kitakyushu U18 3-2 and Sagan Tosu U18 2-0 before drawing 0-0 with Avispa Fukuoka U18 and winning 4-3 on penalties.
During a conversation with The News Mill, spoke about Bengaluru FC’s Japan tour, the gap between Indian and Japanese football, and what Indian football can learn from Japan.
Excerpts:
Q: How would you assess Bengaluru FC’s performance across the three matches in Japan?
Renedy Singh: It was a very good experience. Indian football needs to move forward, and if we want to reach the next level, we have to play better footballing nations. Japan is one of them, and the gap between the two countries is significant.
Thanks to the Reliance Foundation Development League, we got the opportunity to face Japanese teams. I was a little worried because most of our players are Under-20 and we were facing J.League Under-18 sides that regularly play international opposition.
That is why I was happy with how we competed. We did not simply sit deep and defend. We pressed high, dominated possession and tried to control the games. The results were important, but the way we played was equally encouraging.
The next test would be to face Japanese Under-20 or Under-21 sides. That would give us a better idea of where we stand. Japanese youth teams have beaten top nations such as Argentina and France, so we still have a long way to go.
Bengaluru FC team in Japan | BFC
Q: Beyond the results, what pleased you most about the team’s performance?
Renedy Singh: The way we pressed was the most satisfying aspect. We did not sit back and defend. We pressed high, moved together as a team and tried to control the game.
I was also happy with how we built from the back. Against Sagan Tosu, our goalkeeper was involved in both goals. That was something we had worked on. If they pressed high, we played long; otherwise, we kept possession and built the game.
The results were positive, but the way we played was more important. There is still a lot to do, and the players need more opportunities to face teams of this level.
Q: How would you describe the gap between the Indian and Japanese youngsters?
Renedy Singh: At this stage, it is difficult to measure the gap because we played against Under-18 teams, while most of our players were Under-20. The real test would be against a Japanese Under-20 side.
We respected the J.League academies, but we were still able to compete and dominate possession at times. If we can do the same against their Under-20 players, we will have a clearer idea of where Indian football stands.
It was a very good experience. Japan’s youth teams have beaten top sides such as Argentina and France, which shows the level they have reached and the investment they have made in player development.
Renedy Singh | The News Mill
Q: What is the biggest lesson Indian football can take from Japan?
Renedy Singh: It is not just one thing. The biggest lesson is the culture of fighting for 90 minutes. Japan have tremendous patience and discipline, and you see the same mentality in their football. They constantly fight for the ball and press with intensity.
Technique also has to come first. From grassroots to the senior level, Japan focus heavily on technical development. For Indian football, the biggest lessons are technique and intensity. Strength and speed come later. We need technically good players who can play with intensity for 90 minutes.