The stage is set for an exciting Federation Cup

By S.R. Suryanarayan

CHENNAI, AUG. 14. It was not exactly a vibrant moment at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Tuesday. No crowds, no jostling for enquiries, or for tickets. A few fluttering flags, some banners, and a lone man giving a fresh coat of paint at the main entrance were the only visible signs to show that an event as big as the Rs. 1.1 Crores Federation Cup football tournament, which is starting from August 15 to 30, is all set for launch.

With ticket sales (priced at Rs. 10) to start only tomorrow the sense of nonchalance is unmistakable willy-nilly in the organisational front. Loose ends remain. Last minute rush continues. Overall this is a far from an encouraging start for a tournament, returning to the city after two decades. Significantly this edition is the first in the new Millennium and can also be considered a rebirth of what was once acknowledged as a premier competition for clubs in the country. The Federation Cup series which started in 1977 went through different times, changing formats even changed names (Kalyani Black Label for three years) before contradictions within ensured its end with the 1998 edition.

At least on one front the fears cease to exist - the state of the turf. Mr. Alberto Colaco, the AIFF Secretary, who has been camping here, was a disturbed man initially seeing the poor pace of work on the turf. But the heavy rolling has helped the turf to settle and as he put it, ``it has become a very good surface.'' Now whether the supposed legion of football supporters will return to re-enact the scene of 1981 when overflowing stadium provided a matching response to the gifted artistes' show in the middle, only time will tell. But they have every reason to head for the matches, such is the variety of styles that can be expected.

Besides, the knockout format this time gives the tournament the semblance of what in cricket terminology will be called a one-day game finish. A win or a loss is guaranteed in every match each day, only at times the contest may go beyond the regulation time and end with a `golden goal' or a penalty shoot- out at the end of the 30 minute extra time phase. The dice thus is loaded evenly whether the team in question is holder Mohun Bagan or lucky entrant Chennai's ICF. One slip or a simple miss or a touch of waywardness can prove costly and that can come in the very first outings itself. That is what gives the competition an edge (read an added attraction) right from day one.

It is doubtful whether after the previous Federation Cup here there has been an occasion for the city football fans to witness action amongst the best of Indian clubs. In fact no city has had this benefit in recent times. A mere look at the draw will give an indication of what an array of players would patronise the greens of the Nehru stadium and what variety will be on display with the best of Goa and Bengal clubs here to renew the unending argument of who is the best.

There is also more than a touch of foreign flavour to the feast barring BSF, Punjab Police, Air India, ICF and JCT the remaining 17 teams have sought foreign help to sharpen their chances. And what these Nigerians or Ghanians or Sudanese, Brazilians or Liberians are capable can be summed up by the outstanding performance of two players from Brazil in the NFL - striker Jose Barreto and goalkeeper Rogerio Ramos. And both are going to be there to fire up the competition.

For all teams this is the first major assignment after the transfers. Some in fact are yet to complete the formalities with regard to their foreign recruits.

Atleast in Mumbai and Kolkata with the league season, the teams from there have a reasonable idea of a perfect combination. But not for teams from Goa and Kerala as also others. On paper Mahindra United from Mumbai seems to have gained largely from the transfers with a handful of India players like goalkeeper Virender Singh, Surkumar Singh, Khalid Jamil, Jules Alberto, Mohd. Najeeb, Venkatesh, Raman Vijayan, Sabir Ali Mondal and the like in their ranks. But does that give it an edge over the Barreto spearheaded Mohun Bagan, which also has prolific scorer R.C. Prakash? Bagan has won the tournament ten times so far and for that historical fact alone, should be considered a leading contender.

Then there is Kingfisher East Bengal, the NFL winner, and strengthened now with the presence of I.M. Vijayan and Jo Paul Anchery among others. Each team has a familiar name. Bruno Coutinho, the man who silenced over one lakh supporters of East Bengal in the Salt Lake Stadium in 1997 is still there to inspire Salgaocar in addition to that superb mover Alvito D'Cunha. That wily playmaker Aqueel Ansari is to be watched in Zee Churchill, while ITI has Balaji to take goalkeeping to great heights.

Air India is always known for its all round efforts, while Mohammedan Sporting, on a trip to regain past glory has come half way by qualifying for the next season's NFL.

Among others, Indian Bank's Sabir Pasha will be keenly watched as local favourite and one time certainty at the national level. FC Kochin's gain in transfers has been SBT's loss. For teams like Vasco, ITI, Tollygunge and JCT this is an added opportunity to raise their stock, while for HAL, Sporting Goa, Dempo, BSF, Punjab Police and ICF, this should be a chance to cause a flutter in a top quality club competition.

Undoubtedly it will be a fortnight of high drama and action, which could boil down to a tussle between Goa and Bengal. Some of the best Indian referees will be on view, to be tuned further by Mr. Manian, AFC instructor and Mr. Suvarna, referees in-charge. There is a chance here for history with country's only female FIFA referee Ms. Bentla Couth in line to officiate. If she is permitted she will be the first woman to supervise a major men's competition in the country.

There is much to look forward to then for football fans in addition to the one sovereign gold promised through a lucky-dip each day for ticket holders. Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalithaa will inaugurate the event. Former Olympian Ahmed Khan will be the guest of honour.

Meanwhile it was announced that ONGC is to be the co- sponsor and COSCO the official ball supplier for the tournament.

Wednesday's match: BSF v Dempo Goa, 4.30 p.m.

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