The former Bengaluru FC coach has helmed wins for Afghanistan and Hong Kong, outcomes which have contributed to India being third within the group
Ashley Westwood. (HT)
As Afghanistan head coach, Westwood, 49, absorbed a gamers’ rise up and lived via a logistical nightmare of organising practically 350 flight tickets from 16-17 nations to assemble a workforce prepared for back-to-back matches towards India. This was when India have been second within the group from the place the highest two would make it to the ultimate 18 to decide on Asia’s groups within the 2026 World Cup. Being within the third spherical of the World Cup qualifiers would additionally guarantee a finals berth within the 2027 Asian Cup.
That didn’t occur largely as a result of the blip of a 0-0 away draw with Afghanistan grew to become a bump when Westwood’s males got here again to win 2-1 in Guwahati. It was the primary time Afghanistan had crushed India in India. At 117, India have been ranked 41 locations above Afghanistan. “I by no means felt we have been in bother…I assumed we obtained what we deserved,” mentioned the Englishman.
It was this mix of chutzpah and composure that had made Westwood a reputation in India. A Manchester United academy right-back who instructed Alex Ferguson that he needed out to hunt extra sport time – massive mistake, he has since acknowledged – Westwood set Bengaluru FC on their manner with two I-League titles and a Federation Cup within the first three years of the membership.
And he wasn’t the primary selection. Richard Money, then with Cambridge United, was, mentioned Mandar Tamhane, the previous CEO of Bengaluru FC who now holds that place at NorthEast United FC. “We have been all set to current Richard as coach when he mentioned he couldn’t journey for private causes,” Tamhane instructed HT over the telephone from Pune on Monday.
Through a contact at an organization dealing in participant administration and merger and acquisition in soccer, Tamhane got here to know of Westwood. “I knew somebody at Blackburn Rovers the place Ashley was assistant coach. I used to be instructed he’s the primary to reach and final to go away coaching. That he’s very pushed.”
Bengaluru FC is the one job Westwood has held for a couple of yr. “He helped us perceive the significance of gamers consuming collectively, investing in GPS vests and beginning an incentive scheme for the gamers. These have been unusual in India in 2013 (when BFC have been arrange).” From food plan to upkeep of the coaching floor, Westwood, Tamhane mentioned, was concerned.
Since leaving Bengaluru FC, Westwood has moved to Malaysia, returned to India at ATK and Punjab FC, took up the job with Afghanistan earlier than becoming a member of Hong Kong final yr. Before Stephen Constantine obtained the job in 2015, Westwood was additionally in rivalry to be named India head coach. Last June, Hong Kong rode a late penalty to win 1-0 towards India. Then, at a packed Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka on October 9, Hong Kong beat Bangladesh 4-3 to go prime of group C with seven factors.
It is why Singapore head coach Gavin Lee mentioned on Monday, “How we finish this window is dependent upon what occurs within the different sport.” Hong Kong play Bangladesh earlier on Tuesday.
In eight matches for the reason that victory towards Kuwait, India have slipped out of the World Cup qualification and, being third in group C, are in actual hazard of not making it to the Asian Cup. In that point, Igor Stimac was sacked and Manolo Marquez stepped down. More than one level from matches towards groups managed by Westwood, India’s kryptonite, and issues might have been very totally different.
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