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Superstars... and crazy boys of the game I
-by gasper crasto
There has been a craze for competitive football always.
The triumphant run of players and supporters of AVC in the recently concluded KIFF League Final in Kuwait, to hug their goalkeeper after Navelim hit the penalty on the post in the sudden death, was one of the best sights seen live.
It was a privilege for having got to train under some of the best coaches in the country. Adapting myself as a Friday morning player at Kuwait's Sour Grounds, initially, was tough. I gradually came to understand that the sort of aggressive behavior I was used to playing with Salgaocars back in India would not be tolerated in an 'expat' world.
Still, it's hard to shake off in-built leadership qualities implanted over years of repeated coaching. Playing for top-most Indian football clubs, one realizes that coaches seldom waste time teaching basics. Most coaches concentrate on fitness, team formation and strategy, as I have noticed in some of the superstars I have played under.
- Late Fernando Abranches concentrated in playing standard football and capitalizing on opponents mistakes.
- T. Shanmugham emphasized, Attack is the best form of defense and rarely allowed the ball to be played behind. He also demanded that the ball be clinched no sooner it was lost.
- Peter Valles stressed on man-to-man marking and 'at any cost' defending the citadel, goals will come automatically.
- Armando Colaco - Ball possession trademark forte.
- Derrick D Souza Attack from the wings & stress on final touch.
- K.T. Chatuni Talking and f
. (fooling) you cannot play football...dont let the opponents have a sniff of your goal; and don't miss scoring when you get a chance.
- Shabbir Ali Extra stress on stamina except for the sweeper back and goalkeeper, all others must attack and defend.
As I look back at these superstars and their coaching expertise, I realize each one of them was different in his approach and in tactical attributes... but never did I hear them advise anything about abusing a official, or instruct players to hit a opponent deliberately.
Players playing at top level are bound to use unfair cheating skills which may even mean trying to brainwash the referee by being nice and friendly to him, or trying to scare his guts with fearful body language so that he works in their favor... I have often seen some referees succumb to this kind of deception.
Higher level of the game is not always a clean, gentlemans game. Professional fouls, yellow cards and reds are all part of the sport
but the worst offence is when you see a player deliberately hitting / kicking an opponent with the sole intention of causing injury. In recent years of professional football, players are (leave alone red carded) fined / suspended after watching the intensity of their offence on TV replays.
Some individuals playing football, locally, forget they are noticed in life only because of football; they are called football players although they just, just about know to kick a ball. Some of these players have played for donkey years while some are still to strengthen footing as humans on foreign soil. On the average, I have noted, not many understand footballing rules other than what they have learnt from watching European / World Cup football telecast on cable TV
But the ones to question the integrity of referees are mostly those who are highly ignorant about the game.
One can understand their brain power from the stupidity of actions and questions.
What actions
?
...Read Part II...on Tuesday (12.07.2005) | 
