We need to adapt fast: Wim Koevermans

India’s new football coach Wim Koevermans said that the country will have to keep pace with the global changes in the sport and groom talent if it wants to become a competitive force at the international level.

Asked what his perception of Indian football was, Koevermans, who took charge earlier this month, said: “There were some similarities in the style of play with Ireland, the last nation I worked in. But at the international level, the game has changed vastly and we need to implement the same to keep ourselves updated. We need to get accustomed fast and try to develop with a young set of boys,” he said after watching India play in the Under-22 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Muscat.

The 51-year-old former Dutch central defender who will officially take charge on Sunday, said: “I am quite pleased with the manner things were conducted on the pitch. Obviously, there are areas of improvement.”