Foreign coaches opting for Indians in the goal came into prominence when the Indian Super League’s top five goalkeepers wereidentified in the Golden Gloves list.
Atletico de Kolkata’s Subhasish Roy Chowdhury was placed third among top five performers under the bar, while T.P. Rehenesh(North East United FC) was in fifth position.
Goalkeepers can turn saviours, as Bete proved so tellingly in Sunday’s final against Kerala Blasters with an outstretched save to keep out a rocket-like shot from Michael Chopra. The ATK custodian from Cameroon, with experience in representing French glamour club Paris Saint Germain, ended second in the ISL Golden Gloves list, behind FC Goa’s Jan Seda of the Czech Republic.
The ISL Golden Gloves awardees were finalised after taking into consideration matches played, clean sheets and shot at target saved/conceded by the men under the bar during the eight-team home-and-away format.
ATK’s Spaniard coach Antonio Habas alternated between Subhasish and Bete, choosing the former for eight matches and the latter standing in nine games, including the final.
New Zealand World Cup coach Ricki Herbert, who managed NEUFC, kept faith in 21-year-old Rehenesh from the third game onwards, ahead of World Cupper Alexandros Tsvoracs from Greece. The youngster played 12 matches, earning ‘best player’ awards subsequently, soaking up pressure for a team which ended up at the bottom.
ATK’s Subhasish recorded four clean sheets, saved 18 shots at target and conceded seven goals. Rehenesh had five clean sheets, stopping 47 shots and conceding 11 goals. India No. 1 Subrata Paul was a regular fixture for Mumbai City FC, preferred by English manager Peter Reid for 14 matches, and he blocked 41 shots at goal, kept six clean sheets and let in 21 goals.
Foreign chief coaches/managers Habas, Herbert and Reid putting an Indian in a critical position is heartening, reflecting their confidence when foreigners as goalkeeping options were available.
Brahmanand’s views“An Indian goalkeeper allows the chief coach or manager to field six foreigners/four Indians up front,” notes S. Brahmanand, ex-India captain and ace goalkeeper. “Coaches want to win matches, so once the Indian goalkeeper gains their confidence in training and preparation, they trust him to do the job.”
“Subrata was okay, Subhasish was competing with Bete for the same position and showed form when played. I am impressed with the way Rehenesh performed in the ISL,” observed Arjuna awardee Brahmanand, who rates England’s David James (Kerala Blasters) as his favourite.
“Rehenesh committed a blunder in his first match (dropping a free-kick from Andre Santos against FC Goa). The very next save from him was as if the mistake had not happened.”
Brahmanand, known for brilliance under the bar representing Salgaocar SC, Churchill Brothers, Anderson Marines in club football and Goa inSantosh Trophy, quips: “Blocking out mistakes from the mind is a very important quality for goalkeepers. The reaction time is so low that errors will happen, Rehenesh’ self-confidence came through in latter performances.”
Rehenesh got picked up by NEU following I-League displays for Rangjadied United last year. Shillong Lajong signed him this season. He has played in Kolkata and Mumbai leagues.
Tata Football Academy graduate Subhasish, 29, who is more experienced with four appearances for India, got noticed after joining Mahindra United in Mumbai, followed by a move to Dempo SC in Goa.
Brahmanand admired Bete’s reflexes and for young Indians watching ISL live in stadiums and on television, felt that Kerala Blasters custodian David James’ positioning and charging out should be noted.
“James is brilliant when closing down angles in one-to-one situations and during rushouts. I hope he is back next season in any role. Goalkeeping clinics or workshops, world-class players like him passing on tips to youngsters, can be considered by the ISL organisers,” said the ex-international, in a chat with The Hindu from Goa.
The 44-year-old James is a veteran of 53 internationals for England and a celebrity in English Premier League, featuring in an FA Cup final at 36. He kept five clean sheets in 12 matches in ISL 2014, blocked 33 shots at goal and conceded 10.
Sandip Nandy was excellent under the bar for Kerala Blasters, inspiring the team to the final by doing his bit in heart-stopping semifinal contests versus Chennaiyin FC.
Goalkeepers can be match-winners too.( Golden Gloves statistics from www.indiansuperleague.com )
