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Vijay Tagore
CUTTACK, Aug 22: Theoretically it can be cliched as a clash of unequals, mismatch or a one-sided affair. But Manoranjan Bhattacharya, the coach of East Bengal, sounds cautious on the eve the side's Federation Cup pre-quarterfinal match against Cuttack's Jobra Durga Club, relative novices on the national circuit. ``They have nothing to lose. That is why they are a dangerous side,'' feels the Calcutta team's trainer.
Looking back at the performance of the Jobra Durga, comprising a bunch of `raw' youngsters, the East Bengal's coach's fears look justified. Enroute to qualifying for the Kalyani Black Label Federation Cup Football tournament, the debutant Cuttack side has beaten fancied Peerless of Calcutta 3-1 and Tollygunge Agragami (Calcutta) 1-0.
``They are a fit and young side. This is their biggest match. They will also enjoy the crowd support. All these factors should spur them to give their best,'' Bhattacharya says and adds: ``But we're prepared. I'm confident we will go home victorious.''
East CUTTACK, Aug 22: Theoretically it can be cliched as a clash of unequals, mismatch or a one-sided affair. But Manoranjan Bhattacharya, the coach of East Bengal, sounds cautious on the eve the side's Federation Cup pre-quarterfinal match against Cuttack's Jobra Durga Club, relative novices on the national circuit. ``They have nothing to lose. That is why they are a dangerous side,'' feels the Calcutta team's trainer.
Looking back at the performance of the Jobra Durga, comprising a bunch of `raw' youngsters, the East Bengal's coach's fears look justified. Enroute to qualifying for the Kalyani Black Label Federation Cup Football tournament, the debutant Cuttack side has beaten fancied Peerless of Calcutta 3-1 and Tollygunge Agragami (Calcutta) 1-0.
``They are a fit and young side. This is their biggest match. They will also enjoy the crowd support. All these factors should spur them to give their best,'' Bhattacharya says and adds: ``But we're prepared. I'm confident we will go home victorious.''
EastBengal coach's guarded optimism notwithstanding, Jobra Durga believe they can upset the apple cart of the Calcutta giants. ``I don't find much of a difference between our side and theirs. They may have a few stars in Baichung (Bhutia), Vijayan (Raman) and Tushar (Rakshit) but my team has some stars in the making. I strongly feel it will be an even contest and with a bit of luck we may even beat them,'' hopes Chandan Chanda, the coach of the Cuttack team.
UNKNOWN NAMES: Names such as Pitho Mirandi, Sukhdev Soren, Laxman Chatterjee and Shakti Sing and Mohan Kochim may not ring a bell in the country's football circles, but the Sports Authority of India's coach feels they are the stars of the future. ``These boys are immensely talented. And I'm sure the Calcutta teams will be after them sooner than later.'' Most of the Jobra Durga players have played for the country at sub junior, junior and school level.
Laxman Chatterjee, Shakti Singh and Suroj Thapa, all in their early 20s, make the forward line forJobra Durga.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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