Updated on Thursday, July 16, 2009, 17:51 IST

New Delhi: Nine days into Indian football team's month-long training sojourn in Barcelona, chief coach Bob Houghton is satisfied the way his boys are shaping up.

Team manager Pradip Chowdhary said Houghton was happy with the fitness of the boys and their intensity in training at the FC Barcelona facilities.

"Houghton is very happy with the progress of the training so far and the hard work of the boys. He looks after every aspect of training and the boys are training hard as this tour is very important," Chowdhary told reporters from Barcelona.

"We (support staff) meet everyday to take stock of the training of the boys. We discuss about any injuries, training drill and other matters. Everything is going on fine and he (Houghton) is happy with the training," he added.

Senior team member Renedy Singh said the players are making the most of the great facilities at FC Barcelona.

"The facilities here are simply great and it is an important tour for us. We are training hard and making best use of the facilities," he said.

The Indian team, preparing for the August 18-31 Nehru Cup tournament, reached Barcelona on July 7 and they will play their first friendly game against Spanish third division side Unio Esportiva Castelldefels on July 25.

The other friendlies will be played on July 29, August 1 and 5 before flying home on August 7.

Bureau Report