All India Football Federation (AIFF) President P R Dasmunshi said Houghton would be away for six weeks for medical attention for a hip injury. During his absence Toal, a technical director of the national soccer team who took over just three days ago, would be in charge.

Responsibility for Toal would be very high because the Indian soccer team would face Myanmar and Iraq for the preliminary pre-World Cup qualifier matches, he said.

Meanwhile, AIFF has roped in ONGC as sponsor for the Nehru Cup which was likely to be participated by Sudan, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Myanmar.

Dasmunshi said "we want to participate in more and more international matches both friendly and competitive which will help us in raising international ranking.

"We have decided to shape three national teams A, B and C so that we can respond to any international invitation," Dasmunshi said.

On improving the quality of Indian soccer, Dasmunshi said a few initiatives had been taken like talent hunt and setting up of team selection committees for both junior and senior teams.

"I will propose to the next executive board meeting to set up senior and junior selection committees which will help the coach. If agreed by the Board then the selection committees will be set up," he said.