Sukhvinder Singh, coach of National League side JCT Mills, has returned as Indian national football team coach after the end of the contract of Englishmen Stephen Constantine. For Sukhvinder it is the second term as India coach after a successful first stint from 1999 to 2002, where India had won the SAFF Cup 1999 and had a strong 2002 World Cup qualification campaign, which had started with a shock 1-0 win against the UAE in Bangalore in April 2001. Now Sukhi, as Sukhvinder is called by friends, is back with the national team and IndianFootball.Com caught-up with him to get his views on a number of issues ranging from the national team, to his club JCT and the Indian football scene in general.

First of all congratulations from the IndianFootball.Com team on being reappointed as Indian national coach!
How is it to be back as national coach for you?

Many thanks for your compliments. It's always be a great honour to be a National Coach and I take it as a privilege and challenge.

What do you expect from your team on the upcoming Pakistan Tour?
Do you already have a tactical formation in mind?

Since this Indo-Pak Series is being held for the first time and apart from the game, emotions and sentiments will also play a role in this series and I think it will be highlighted and I am quite hopeful to achieve the expected results.
About tactical formation I will decide after watching the players in camp.

What do you say about the probables?
A number of new players have been called for the probables camp. Anyone we should look out for?

We have tried to select the best available playes mixing Senior and Under-23, and I don't want to name special at this moment.

How much will the absence of Baichung Bhutia be felt?

Of course, Bhutia's absence will be felt and it was the compulsion to go without Bhutia, but one has to face this type of things in a team game.

The AIFF president Das Munshi had said that the under-23 team would be given exposure ahead of the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Have you made any suggestions or plans for exposure for the under-23?
Any plans to come to England or Europe for friendlies as in 2000, 2001, 2002?

About exposure for Indian U-23 team, we are planning to first organise a three week's Coaching Camp in September for only Under-23 Players then we will get idea about strength of our Under-23 squad. After that we can go for exposure plan.

Players of Indian Origin (PIO) have been to probable camps under Stephen Constantine. Would you look at talented PIOs? Have you got anyone already in your books?

About Players of India Origin, if it is available then nothing wrong in that, but at the moment I don't have any body in my mind.

Coming to JCT Mills.
JCT finished seventh in the NFL, missing the sixth spot just by a whisker with the final game loss against Salgaocar. Are you happy with that?

JCT's seventh position is not what we were expecting. Throughout this National Football League it was a bad start for JCT, aspecially in away matches. In the middle we played well and got good results in both home and away matches. But, last 8 games JCT played very well but results have gone a different way. We could not play well in the last tie with Salgaocar SC.

How do you see JCT's current situation?
How has the attendence of JCT's NFL home matches in Ludhiana been this season?

The attendance was not so bad and at the same time it was not so much encouraging.

How is the JCT Academy doing? Sakatar Singh seems to have made it from the Acacemy to the senior team.

Sakatar looks ok, but its too early to say anything.

Coming to Indian football in general. How do you see our Indian players?
Should some of our top players go abroad?

At the moment Indian Football is moving in right direction, but it need more to do.
We see good Indian Players in big number, but don't see the extra talent like Baichung Bhutia, I.M. Vijayan & Jo Paul Anchery.
Yah, it is very nice if our players go to abroad and play there.

How do you see the 9th NFL?
What do you say on Dempo SC as new champions?
What do you say about the tough relegation battle?

9th National Football League was very interesting up to the last match, in the relegation zone as well as for the champion's race.
Dempo SC became champions with their consistent performance and they deserve to be the champion.
Really, relegation battle was very very tough but keeping in mind the results of all the National Football Leagues, Churchill Brothers, one of the best teams has been relegated.

What is your opinion on the 10 team NFL from next season?
Shouldn't the number of teams actually be increased?

Actually, in National Football League teams should be increased but keeping in view the quality of the tournament and longevity of the league 10 teams are also not bad.