There will be no shortage of thrills

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI, NOV. 13. Kerala is a phenomenally solid side, Goa a potent combination of bustle and ball play, Railways a serious threat on any day owing to its ability to think as a team. Compared to these Santosh Trophy heavyweights, Tamil Nadu is like a party gate-crasher asked to stay on because of entertainment value.

In this context, Sabir Pasha's presence in the line-up lends the side respectability in august company. He is the axis around whom the team revolves, a creator and destroyer on one foot, nibbling away at defences with his magical left even while nursing an injured right knee.

This ex-international rescued Tamil Nadu from an embarrassing defeat against Gujarat in the first phase, and now remains the guiding force as his team gets ready, physically and psychologically, to play in the semifinals of the 57th National football championships on Thursday.

The question however, is how long will Tamil Nadu depend on Pasha's ball skills alone, considering that his reputation and repertoire for creating moves out of nothing means undue attention from rivals.

Ever since his arrival in Mumbai a fortnight ago, the Tamil Nadu schemer has spent more time in the pool than on the football ground, skipping training sessions on medical advise to speed up recovery of his injured right knee, doing swimming and beach running to maintain fitness levels.

``The more matches I play, the better I get. I hope my knee holds for a little more time,'' said Pasha, after plotting Bengal's exit in a crucial quarterfinal league match.

As long as he is out there on the left flank, spraying passes to the forwards, finding gaps in the defence not visible to others, Tamil Nadu can hope to extend its dream run, but this obsession for hitting the balls towards one man and then hoping for miracles is suicidal.

Kerala will surely place a couple of policemen around the nippy ex-international, and Tamil Nadu's fate will be determined by its ability to function without any contribution from its star schemer.

K. Kulothungan's return, after sitting out one match with two yellow cards, is a morale-booster; Marcel Sladen and Mohd. Islam are willing workers whose combined effort can keep the attack going in case Pasha becomes a passenger due to heavy marking.

Tamil Nadu's biggest plus point is that it will not be under any pressure to perform as qualifying for the semifinals ahead of Bengal and Karnataka with such an untested side is in itself an achievement. Anything more would be a bonus.

While Tamil Nadu has clawed back from hopeless situations, Kerala's only handicap has been the lack of quality opposition so far. The V. Sivakumar-led side can intimidate most teams when on a roll, like a heavyweight boxer punching in bantamweight category, but nobody knows how the team will react to adversity in a knock-out situation like the semifinals, playing R. Shanmugham-coached Tamil Nadu which has nothing to lose.

The Kerala defensive back four appear tall and imposing, but have blind spots which every opponent has exploited. The transformation in the team happens once the ball is in possession. The attack builds up through short, swift passes to the flanks and then suddenly explodes into pulsating action. Like a stone rolling downhill becoming an avalanche, the Kerala forwards and midfielders on the move are a visual delight.

Ashif Saheer is the spearhead, tricky and unpredictable in the ground and in the air. He has been a regular scorer, but Kerala has so many players with power in their boots that goals can happen from any angle. The team, coached by M. Peethambaran, can be relied upon to continue its habit of scoring classic goals in the first semifinals, usually a sudden switch in the point of attack followed by a thundering shot on the run.

Goa vs. Railways: midfield will decide outcome

Goa taking on Railways in the second semifinals is another crowd attraction. Both sides play a positive, probing game with no time nor inclination for cynical fouls. The midfield will be the main battleground, with a bunch of former Tata Football Academy products vying for domination.

Noel Wilson, Roque Barretto, Abhay Kumar supported by defender Mahesh Gawli for Goa, pitting their skill and will against Kasif Jamal of Railways.

This young Goan side, coached by Armando Colaso, is blessed with skill. The well-settled Railway team, jointly guided by Irenio Vaz and Shankar Moitra, has fitness and control. Both teams have a grudging respect for each other, having survived tense quarterfinal league matches against Punjab and Maharashtra, respectively, coming through on the strength of their character. In both cases, there is a sense of bonding in the team, perhaps due to absence of superstars in the line-up.

Both Goa and Railways are in full strength, with competent bench strength and a point to prove, setting the stage for an intriguing contest after a two-day Diwali break. The fireworks may happen in the Kerala vs. Tamil Nadu clash, and sparklers are likely to illuminate the Cooperage ground in the Goa vs. Railways encounter.

Goals may be at a premium, taking into account the quality of goalkeepers in three out of the four teams-Kerala's Feroz Sharief, Tamil Nadu's Felix Edward, Railways' Sangram Mukherjee- but there will be no shortage of thrills.

On Thursday: Semifinals: Kerala vs. Tamilnadu; Goa vs. Railways.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : PCB urges ICC to treat Shoaib case as 'special'
Next     : ONGC XI holds Bombay XI