By Debayan Mukherjee,
AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Rubberneckers turned admirers when Sporting Clube de Goa Coach Oscar Bruzon brought Tennis and Rugby balls into play in their Pre-season Practice Session.

“The players were bemused. They were cracking jokes and emulating Murray and Djoker (Djokovic) from the recently-concluded Wimbledon Final,” Bruzon admitted to www.the-aiff.com.

“But as soon as I explained the purpose of the Tennis Balls, did they start talking Football as we discussed the riveting FIFA U-20 World Cup. When I started training with them, all got hooked!” added the Spaniard who guided the Goan outfit to an unprecedented sixth spot in the I-League Table last season.

Explaining the purpose of the two other cousins of the Football on the latter’s territory, Bruzon said: “The purpose of using a Tennis Ball is to improve your ball control,”

“It’s simple. If you can control a Tennis Ball, trapping a Football would be much simpler,” the former Celta de Vigo Forward explained.

“During my time at Celta de Vigo, I learnt this trick. We were made to train with Tennis Balls to improve our ball control. Especially close control and dribbling is enhanced if you play with a Tennis Ball. But it is very difficult. But if you can control a Tennis Ball relatively well, you’ll be a very good dribbler and your ball control will improve a lot,” added the 36-year old, who is a big Rafael Nadal supporter.

Shifting attention to the utility of a Rugby Ball on the Football pitch, Bruzon quipped: “Since the Rugby Ball is always on the go, bouncing awkwardly here and there, it helps improve a Footballer’s agility and enhances response.”

“It makes a player quicker. You don’t know where it will go, so you need coordination also with your Teammate. These are the things which can be bettered if you practice with a rugby ball,” he added.

Trust Bruzon and as much as the Players were acclimatising with the new type of training methods, they were having a gala time in the middle.

“The purpose of using Tennis and Rugby Balls on the Football pitch is also to have fun with the boys. We all are meeting after a long time and the lads need to feel good. The news signings need to feel at home and gel with the older ones. Fun games thus are very important especially in the early days of Pre-Season training,” Bruzon opined.

Bruzon heaped praise on Dawson Fernandes who got his maiden call-up for the Indian Senior National Team which is scheduled to play a FIFA International Friendly against Tajikistan on August 14.

“He was congratulated by the entire Team during our first training session. It’s a matter of great pride for us. It boosts the entire unit. They also thrive to do well and break into the National Team. I can guarantee that in the next couple of years, more players will come up the ranks and be part of India,” he said.

Bruzon aims to finish one better than last season at least, and is keen to nurture youngsters at the Club.

We have to finish fifth at any cost this season. You need to keep on improving so that is the primary goal,” Bruzon explained.

“I believe in Youth Development and it is great to see the AIFF is treading the same path. At Sporting Clube de Goa, we like to play passing Football, and I am working very hard with my support staff to inculcate that into every Player,” he added.