Impressed by players like Ryan Williams, Panama coach Christiansen offered a host of recommendations for the improvement of Indian football

XtraTime Web Desk

Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen was impressed by India’s spirited performance, praising the significant progress the Blue Tigers have made over the past few years. He also lauded India’s disciplined approach to the game while pointing out that Panama are using their Asian tour and such international fixtures to give opportunities to new players.

Christiansen said it was commendable that India had arranged FIFA window matches against three teams that had recently featured at the World Cup. According to him, playing against such opponents will help India understand where they currently stand and what they need to do to reach the next level.

The Panama coach also praised Ryan Williams, saying that bringing players of his profile, including overseas-born players eligible to represent India, into the national setup is a positive step for Indian football.

Christiansen also offered several suggestions for the development of Indian football. He stressed the need to improve the domestic league and increase the quality of facilities and infrastructure. He also believes Indian players should get opportunities to play abroad to gain experience and improve their overall standard. He cited Panama’s own experience as an example of how exposure overseas can help players develop.

However, Christiansen feels India and Panama share one significant similarity. Cricket is the number one sport in India, while Panama had a similar situation with baseball dominating the sporting landscape.

Reflecting on Panama’s experience, Christiansen suggested that Indian football will also have to compete for attention with cricket and continue building its own identity and popularity.

For him, India’s recent progress is encouraging, but sustained development will require better infrastructure, a stronger domestic league and greater international exposure for Indian players.