‘Rahim knew how to get the best out of players’

HYDERABAD: It was at Goshamahal Stadium here that the legendary coach, late S.A. Rahim, formulated all the strategies during the Indian team’s preparatory camp for the 1962 Asiad, which eventually helped it win what remains it’s only football gold in the games.

“The mantra of Rahim Saab (as he is fondly remembered by the football fraternity) which clinched the issue for India in the final was to advise the players not to play for the off-side trap, as they could be confused by whistling from the crowd as it was not only boisterous but anti-India too. He just wanted the Indians to always have possession of the ball,” D.M.K. Afzal, a member of the team who played in only two league matches, said.

“There was some uncertainty about the team’s participation as there was a delay in the Finance Ministry giving the go-ahead. But, the great Rahim Saab ensured that the players were fully focussed on the game during the camp.

“All the players stayed on the first floor of the stadium and never really moved out till another camp was held in Kolkata before we left for Jakarta,” recalled the 75-year-old Afzal at his residence in the by-lanes of Asifnagar on Sunday.

It is a pity that the renowned coach passed away within one year after that memorable feat, he said

“That Indian team had no fear and was never under pressure despite the odd setback. It was guided by a coach who knew how to get the best out of his players. It was a star-studded line-up which included the likes of P.K. Banerjee, captain Chuni Goswami, T. Balaraman, and goal-keeper Peter Thangaraj,” Afzal said.

“The move to shift the tall and athletic Jarnail Singh as centre-half was a master-stroke which caught Korea completely off-guard in the final. It was a tribute to Jarnail’s efficacy that despite an injury he could still score in India’s 2-1 victory for the gold.”

“That remains my greatest moment despite not playing in the final and I have no regrets,” said Afzal.

“I don’t remember any of the players getting incentives. Honestly, we played with passion, sense of pride and for the sheer love of the sport,” a visibly content Afzal said about being part of a truly historic campaign in the Asian Games.