The Hindu : Sport / Football : Bhutia reappointed captain

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Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006

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Sport - Football

Bhutia reappointed captain

Principal Correspondent

KOLKATA: Baichung Bhutia has been named the new captain of the national football team by the coach Bob Houghton. The star striker, who opted out of the national team that toured Canada in July, has been asked to lead the side against Saudi Arabia in the upcoming group A league tie of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Houghton said the team was unanimously in its choice of Bhutia for captain while Shanmugam Ventakesh, who led in the last tournament, said he "would be happy to be the vice-captain of the team."

Bhutia had admitted that he had lost motivation at one point of time and was "not enjoying the game." His decision to drop out of the Whitecaps Nations Cup held in Vancouver had apparently been the result of this mental fatigue. But things changed when the new national coach, Englishman Bob Houghton had a discussion with Bhutia ahead of the camp. "I am enjoying my game again and would continue to play till I keep enjoying it," Bhutia said.

Houghton said that the squad would be further pruned and the final 20 names will be decided after the last day's practice on Tuesday. The coach said that he was hopeful that his boys would be able to put up a good performance against the visitors.

The visitors have brought 13 World Cuppers in a squad of 20. Their Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta said that his team was in the process of rebuilding after the World Cup, which saw the likes of Mohamed Al-Deayea and Sami Al-Jaber announcing their retirement. The Saudis said that they have a youthful side and would be happy to go back home with the full quota of points.

The visitors could only practice for about 20 minutes in the afternoon as heavy showers forced them to beat a hasty retreat. The Indians enjoyed the rains and had their full session of training.

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