Goalkeepers are a hated lot. They are cursed by fans for coming in the way of goals. But it’s something they enjoy the most. Flowing moves climaxing in stunning strikes is the fuel igniting interest in the game.
Eight men stood under the crossbar when ISL 2015 kicked off at various venues. Only two of those fit and flexible men are left standing. Chennaiyin FC’s Edel Bete and FC Goa’s Laxmikant Kattimani are all set for a face-off on Sunday.
Former India custodian Henry Menezes uses a strong word to describe goalkeepers. “Goalkeepers are the commanders on the ground. They can view the entire field, and their performance gives confidence to the defenders,” says the former international who is now a television commentator.
Menezes, a former team manager (Mahindra United, Mumbai FC), is also the chief executive of Western India Football Association.
Menezes wonders why Bete is relatively quiet in match play. “Bete’s eyes, if you have noticed, are glazed. It shows a high level of concentration, yet he is quiet. And he is not seen shouting instructions.
“His footwork and positioning is so good that you will not see thrilling saves. Bete does not need to come up with acrobatic dives.”
Kattimani, who mans the FC Goa goalpost, is an Indian who has come up with stellar performances which guarantee him a place in the squad. Foreign coaches choose Indian goalkeepers.
Menezes explains that it is a strategic decision. “Choosing an Indian goalkeeper allows the coach to play six foreigners up front. They prefer it that way,” he says.
Chennaiyin FC is the exception, preferring a giant from Cameroon, Bete, guarding the goal. “Chennaiyin coach Marco Materazzi chose Bete because his priority is to strengthen the defence, even though it means he can play only five foreign players.”
Karanjit Singh and Pawan Kumar are the two other custodians in Materazzi’s team, yet the Italian World Cup winner put his faith in Bete. “Chennaiyin reached the final with such a defensive mindset. It is a credit to the entire side. The backline seems to be doing the job,” Menezes adds. Delhi Dynamos chose Antonio Doblas in goal, a reflection of coach Roberto Carlos’s line of thinking.
The opposition for the Cameroon custodian is not only FC Goa, but a packed Nehru stadium rooting for the home team. The noise can be intimidating even for Bete, who is set to stand in his second consecutive ISL final.
Former India goalkeeping coach Brahmanand Shankwalkar says football becomes a mental game when a jam-packed stadium starts rooting for the home team. “Bete has to deal with it by steadying his mind, otherwise the mistakes will creep in.”
The biggest threat for Chennaiyin will come from FC Goa’s counter-attacks “FC Goa attacks on the move, and an angular shot like the one Jofre struck against Delhi Dynamos is impossible to stop. No goalkeeper in the world can thwart such an attempt,” says the former AIFF Player of the Year. “Bete shows maturity in match situations; if he can continue in the same vein, he can make life difficult for any opponent.” He saved two penalty kicks in the league phase and can very well repeat the feat.
ATK realised the difficulty in putting the ball past the Cameroon goalkeeper in the second leg of the semifinal. Kattimani’s performances earned him praise from Brahmanand, himself an inspiration for goalkeepers across India.
“He has a cool head on his shoulders. He is learning all the time.” The Vasco SC youngster established himself in Dempo SC and manned the goal for India at the 2011 Olympic qualifiers. Brazilian Elintos Andrade and Indian Luis Barretto are other custodians in the FC Goa squad.
