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Will Bengal be able to end its long drought in the Santosh Trophy?

S.R. Suryanarayan

Tamil Nadu coach Thulasi would be hoping his team can put up a good show

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

WORDS OF WISDOM: Tamil Nadu coach P. Thulasi giving tips to captain K. Kulothungan and vice-captain F. Jagan on the eve of the Santosh Trophy in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Talk of Santosh Trophy in Tamil Nadu and Bengal’s name crops up immediately, even as the 63rd edition gets underway on Sunday at four centres — Chennai, Tiruvallur, Coimbatore and Tiruchi. It was at the Nehru stadium here a decade ago when Bengal last won the glittering trophy — its 29th title. Bengal has figured in only one final thereafter, in 2007 in Gurgaon, which Punjab won.

After dominating the national championship in such overwhelming fashion — the next best and holder Punjab has won the trophy only eight times — it is a big fall for Bengal and is a reflection of the changing times.

Bengal has not been able to raise a strong combination, either because the nativity rule has helped other states or the seniors are not ready after the demanding I-league.

Take the case of star player Baichung Bhutia himself. Hailing from Sikkim, Baichung was sought by this hill-State but the India skipper kept away. His absence will be felt by the Chennai fans too.

They had seen this skilful striker, as a 19-year-old, stunning all and the Punjab defence with his audacious bicycle-kick that brought Bengal a title-win via the golden goal in 1995.

Current coach Raghu Nandy believes he can raise a strong outfit with “a blend of experienced and young players.” Nonetheless Bengal’s slip benefited States like Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Maharashtra and Punjab.

Punjab eyes hat-trick

Punjab, in fact, is aiming for a hat-trick of titles. With talents to draw from leading sides like JCT, Punjab Police and BSF, Punjab should again be a force.

At Srinagar, former winner Services too was a revelation, reaching the final after a gap of nearly four decades. In Raleng, the team discovered a delightful striker and he should be around for another treat.

Experienced players remain Karnataka’s strength with veteran coach Krishnaji Rao to guide. Punjab, Services, Bengal and Karnataka are directly seeded to the quarterfinal league.

For the rest, the start is from the cluster phase. When Coach P. Thulasi moves in with the Tamil Nadu team, old-timers will recollect the February of 1964 when at the same venue (then Corporation Stadium), his father A.D. Parthasarathy, known as a tough trainer, was the State coach.

Can Thulasi mould this team to greater show? “I do not want to predict. We cannot take any opponent lightly. We have a good team,” is all that Thulasi was ready to submit.

Rajasthan, Tripura and HP are the others in Cluster VIII.

In Tiruchi, Goa looks the favourite from Cluster IV to make it to the last eight.

With I-league players Mahesh Gawali, Climax Lawrence, Joaquim Abranches and John Dias to join the squad, Goa is not short of strength.

Orissa and Jharkand (which effectively is a Tata Football Academy side) are the other teams. J & K, Mizoram, MP and Puducherry are placed in Cluster III.

At Red Hills in Tiruvallur district, seasoned Railways looks the best bet.

With 12 outstation players, Manipur is ready for the occasion in Cluster VI. A young Sikkim side with I-league player Nirmal Chetri as skipper could be a good challenge. Uttarakhand is the other team.

In Coimbatore, five-time champion Kerala has the edge from Cluster I.

Entry is free for all matches.

Sunday’s matches:

At Chennai: Tamil Nadu v Rajasthan, 4.00 p.m.; Tripura v HP 6.30 p.m.;

At Red Hills (Tiruvallur): Railways v Delhi, 4 p.m.

At Tiruchi: J and K v MP (7 a.m.), Mizoram v Puducherry (4 p.m.).

At Coimbatore: Chhattisgarh v Chandigarh (4 p.m.).

Inputs from G. Prasad (Tiruchi), Rayan Rozario (Coimbatore) and Karthik Krishnaswamy (Tiruvallur).

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