Recalling a very special derby

I was searching videos of Indian football in YouTube; suddenly I discovered a fool length football match is available in the web. The match was neither an ordinary one nor another East – Mohun derby, it was the famous fed cup semifinal between the two greatest arch rivals where a boy from north east announced his supremacy in Indian football.

I can still recall that very particular day; all the news papers were full with PK – Amal Dutta vocal combat. Amal Dutta particularly was commenting over and over on East Bengal team. After a long time the YBK was going to be full crowd. The match was live on STAR sports. Both the team was running like a well oiled machine before the derby clash.

Amal Dutta started the season with a new style with lot of talented players. He called it diamond formation which was a whole new thing for Indian football fans however the formation was well-known to European football clubs. The formation proven very effective as Mohunbagan was playing with a rhythm and getting the right results whereas experienced PK kept faith on a familiar 4-4-2. So there was a high expectation among all. The media & expert predictions were with Mohunbagan.

It was a fine Sunday afternoon and the season was rainy. The salt lake stadium was full at its capacity of 1 l 20k spectators which is still a world record. The game started with high volt. Mohunagan started pressing to East – Bengal half with their smooth passing play. It was nice to see their passing and ball possession. If one of the reasons of their good looking football was Dutta’s diamond formation another was the pool of talented midfielders playing together for Mohunbagan. The young Amit Das was testing left back Amitava Chanda for each occasion whereas Basudev Mondal and Satyajit Chatterjee were anchoring the central midfield with Lorendra Sing the fresh TFA cadet on the left. The forward line was ornamented with the mighty Chima Okery and speedy Abdul Khalek.

East Bengal team started very cautiously. They let Mohun Bagan took over the midfield and played a wait and watch game. The experienced Samy Omello was leading the defense line with calm and confident Naushad Musah. The midfield was mostly chasing and blocking the nippy Mohunbagan midfield but there was Shankarlal Chakraverty the raw talent and a fresh graduate from TFA with vastly experienced Tushar Rakshit who giving some tough times to Mohunbagan medios. And there was Baichung Bhutia upfront with Nazimul Haq who was just waiting for the right ball and right time.

Against the run of play Nazimul drew the first blood with a thundering side volley and Mohunbagan defense started shaking. Shortly after the change of the sides from a Somtai Saiza corner Baichung scored with a lovely header. Mohunbagan players started losing their confidence and changed the style of play with long ball mostly aimed towards Chima Okeri. From a searching long ball Chima scored with a nice acrobatic volley. This goal gave Mohunbagan players and supporters some hope while television camera spotted Amal Dutta fisting the air.

Then came the moment, the moment of glory and joy. Baichung Bhutia took the big stage to announce his reign. He scored two and took the game beyond the reach of Mohunbagan. The crowd went mad and all we could hear from television apart from the commentary was a roar “Baaichung – Baaaichung”.

I forgot to tell you the name of the commentators for the match. Novi Capadia and Noel De Souza were two commentators for STAR Sports for that very particular match. I like them both; they both have the vast knowledge of Indian football. Sadly Noel is no more with us. I take this opportunity to recall him once again.

It was quite an experience which I will cherish all along my life not only because East Bengal won or Baichung Bhutia scored a hattrick because of the greatness of the match. This was an advertisement of Indian football and its popularity but AIFF could not utilize the spark generated by this match. There are always sparks generated by Indianfootball but unfortunately they never become flame. Hope someday they will realize and utilize this kind of occasion to the next level of marketing for the betterment of football in this country.