Latest News

August 2004

As we started our preparation in Kolkata for the big game against Japan, and for the LG Cup in Vietnam problems arise almost immediately.

The camp was due to begin on the 4th of August but as usual controversy surrounded the camp when the East Bengal players were not allowed to join. In fact from two weeks we had planned we ended up with 5 days! One of the other problems was the state of the training ground which partly due to the monsoon season and partly because the fields are not properly maintained were terrible in fact one of our players as result of the pitch was injured and ruled out of both events.

I wont go into the politics behind the actions of East Bengal because I don’t know them nor do I care to know, all I ever want is that the best players for India be made available for their country.

Our first game was against Myanmar who along with hosts Vietnam were in our group. The kick off time for some reason was at 3pm in stifling heat which is ridiculous to say the least. The game really didn’t get going which under the circumstances was not surprising the players were exhausted after 20 minutes. Two goals from RC Prakash ensured the win the first time India has ever beaten Myanmar but not after some disgraceful refereeing and the conduct of the Myanmar players and coaching staff who encouraged the players to kick punch and behave like thugs on a football field. The referee who took no action even when a Myanmar player kicked one of our players from behind which as a result means that player will be out for three to four months with ligament damage! If that was not enough after the final whistle some of there players attacked some of ours in the centre circle. It is really sad when you see this kind of behaviour and has no part in football.

Our game against the hosts was better and though we lost 1-2 deserved a draw if I am honest. We had already qualified for the semi finals and so I had rested a number of the starting eleven and gave the youngsters a chance and was happy with the overall performance. Our semi final performance was disappointing to say the least though we were level at half time several individual mistakes cost us dear and though the score suggest a poor performance two late goals made the score look worse then it was. Of course with the game against Japan coming up we will need to do a lot better if we are going to stop them. We now go back to India and await the might of Japan on the 8th of September.

Until next time,

See you at the Far Post