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Interview with HPE-regia5 and Maidichtling, NT and U21 India coaches II/II

Written by Florinescu

Part II

9. What do you like about the national teams, what attracts you to this part of the game?

HPE-regia5:
It's a game into the game. Your team is just you, a National Team is a team work, with fans ready to judge you in both positive and negative ways. And in most of cases, if you fail, you get no second chance, while with your club you can try and retry again.

Maidichtling:
I like the community part as many manages need to optimize their setup to support the cause of the group. While the challenge of U21 is special as ratings are much lower, the NT is interesting as the best of the best of the best compete there. You can see there what is possible in hattrick and get an idea of the gap between your own team and the maximum.

10. You both returned to lead the India national teams, after a period in which you also got involved in other communities. How did you find the national team and the community now, compared to how they were a few years ago?

HPE-regia5:
India U21/NT was never a great one. Yeah, there were some good moments, but they're the exception and not the rule. The new competition system, with Asian Cup who grant qualification to the World Cup, it's good for India, as you fight against similar teams, competing with the European giants not too early, so there's still some chance to get to the World Cup. The community has always been a little one but there's a sentiment of union that is often lacking in other countries.

Maidichtling:
I was involved in NT India before and now I am coach of U21. This is a vast difference. The participation of the community has not changed much. Managers came and tried but somehow it didn't click like I hope it will in the coming years. It is nice to see some faces are still around and the support of these guys, knowing me from a long time, is great - an honor.

11. How do you like the new format of competitions for NT, compared to the old World Cup system?

HPE-regia5:
I think it's a huge improvement! It raises the competition for everyone, and also minor teams can mount a challenge, that with the old system was basically impossible.

Maidichtling:
I like it much more from the first view of it. But I am not sure it is possible to play with as much passion and effort as we put in before. The number of games got increased so much and I was almost burned out after U20 Germany. I don't know how to handle that... but being able to spread the burden and taking off for a game here and there will help. The old World Cup was found out. This new era will give better managers much more opportunities to outdo the opponents.

12. You are both highly experienced managers, with extraordinary performances at NT, including gold medals at the World Championship. What is missing and what do you think should be improved so that India can end up fighting for medals?

HPE-regia5:
It's hard to say. I think it would be needed a total rebuild, with a plan of several seasons of perfect training, just to have the opportunity to fight with other teams, and no result granted. At U21 level is easier, as you don't need 10/12 seasons to build it, but just 2/3, at NT level is quite difficult without a lot of teams ready to sacrifice years and years just to grow up NT players.

Maidichtling:
Easy one. More managers in India with more Indian youth players, better training setup for these picks and prioritizing U21 and then NT over club results. Even with Mahatma Memorial I supported NT in all ways needed - I can assure everyone you can win without sacrificing the quality of our NT players. For NT this is a much longer road but for U21 we will try to establish pipelines with optimum training, for which we will need a network of international managers cooperating with the scouting team. Well, we will need a proper scouting team first. One step after the other, expecting medals some day is a tough task - but that is what we all are aiming for, surely.

13. Have new types of special players appeared lately, which any national team should have?

HPE-regia5:
Powerful FWs. They're really gamechanger. But they're not so recent... nothing new in short term.

Maidichtling:
PNF is most important. We have to have a strong forward as PNF every campaign - actually two to choose from. PDIM is nice-to-have but as long as we are not the same level like top teams we need this guy to play against the best. All other specs depend on the squad composition.

14. You have both coached Indian players over time, who have been very helpful to the national teams. What advice can you give to users who want to train players for U21 and NT India?

HPE-regia5:
Enjoy them. Enjoy their growth, and enjoy U21/NT matches. If you do that, to grow up U21/NT players will be a success anyway.

Maidichtling:
Always train with optimum settings from the very beginning until the mid 30s. Raise stamina when the time arises. And choose a player with proper starting skills, maybe HTMS > 2000. It is a long journey and not worth to miss out despite all efforts because the player lacked skill from the very first moment.

15. Do you intend to stay at NT / U21 India for a longer period of time, will you get involved so that India has stronger generations of players in the future?

HPE-regia5:
It's hard to say. I'm surely motivated for the next term, but it's hard to say regarding the future, as real life always changes anything. Atm I'm 100% focused on it.

Maidichtling:
Yes, I will. If I continue to lay hattrick, that is what I want to do. I will not stay as coach for too long as it is too exhausting. But for now, I see my work much more as head of scouts than as the coach who is putting all his time in tactics.

16. Would you like to add something more for the Indian community?

HPE-regia5:
I strongly suggest to train U21/NT players, as I do myself, as it's a game into the game. HT isn't just a normal game, you can entertain yourself in various ways, so if you didn't try this one yet and you would like to give it a go, get in touch with U21 or NT coach!

Maidichtling:
Please add the national fed (118468). You don't have to be a supporter to do so! And maybe think about supporting the national teams.... listen to advise as that will make your own team stronger as well. It is no sacrifice to serve the U21/NT but a path to glory... everyone is welcome and the more participation we get the more know-how will be shared between all of us. Only discussions will make that happen... it is a two-way act. Come in and find out.... and enjoy the game!