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"This is an interesting I -League. Who wants a one-sided league?" - Churchill Brothers' Henry Antchouet
Churchill's Henry Antchouet tells Arkaprabha Chakraborty about life in India, and how the "cricket country" has a huge potential to shine in football...
10-Feb-2012 11:43:00 PM
Goal.com
INTERVIEW
With Arkaprabha Chakraborty
Speaking to Goal.com's Arkaprabha Chakraborty, Churchill Brothers' striker, Gabonese Henry Antchouet got candid about India, the I-League, Europe and how he was determined to master Hindi...
When asked about how he had settled in India, Antchouet seemed very pleased with his new port of call, "Yes, my time here has been very enjoyable. Very different from my time in Portugal. I've played in eight countries, but with my family and friends' good wishes behind me, although I've played here for only seven months, it has all been very good." he said enthusiastically.
Asked about the biggest difference he sees between Europe and India in general, the striker thought for a bit and said, "In Europe, everybody is interested in themselves only, wanting houses and jobs. Here in India, Goa and Calcutta especially, the people are more sympathetic towards others."
Speaking about the difference in playing styles, the first thing he had to say is that the players here run too much. Although he admitted that they do have "good feet", he thinks that this wastes a lot of energy. While in Europe "Every game is very intense. It is a whole 90 minutes worth of intensity, more tactical" and that the coaching is geared towards making more tactical runs than just running.
But he also thinks that India is a country with big potential because of the sheer size of the country. And he believes that the Indians have good stamina.
"In Portugal, the weather is much colder and we usually play games at 7 or 8 o' clock but here in India we are always playing, running in the afternoon at 3:30", the Gabonese striker opined.
He said that he had also made a few friends in the national team, but rued that they didn't get the spotlight because "the country is more about cricket."
Asked whether he thought Mumbai FC were too rowdy in the last game where he needed to get stitches, he was quick to oppose the suggestion. "No! Not at all. These things happen during a game. I had a chat with the player after the game, I did not think he meant to injure me."
He praised the Indian game saying that there were two types of aggressiveness, good and bad. But "never in India have I seen any team play for injuring their opponents. This is another big difference from Portugal. There we see people diving and faking injuries to win free-kick and corner kicks and there are fights during set-piece plays also. My team, just like most others plays only for the win."
When asked about his team's chances of winning the I-League this year, he confidently said that Churchill were very much in the title race. "Yes! Yes, of course! It's Dempo 40, East Bengal 35, Mohun Bagan 34 then we have Churchill [tied on points with Salgaocar but behind on Goal difference] on 33. This is a good I-League. An interesting I -League. Who wants a one-sided league? This is a good moment for all teams and I like it. This pressure is when games begin to depend on the mentality of the players."
When asked if he was open to a move back to Europe, he paused for a while before responding, "In this country, it is a totally different experience to be playing for the league title. Back in Europe, I've never played for a Benfica. Here I have the chance to end my career with a few trophies and I am happy to have already won one, the Durand Cup. And I also think that my career is good for the country because I hope that I can share my experience in Europe with the players I come in contact with."
Yet he left the door open, saying, "If any European teams wants me, I'd have to consider but if given the opportunity to stay in India, I'd love to."
When touched about the slightly controversial issue of his non-selection in the final Gabonese squad for the African Cup of Nations, he shrugged it off, saying "I think the thing is because there are so many players playing in Europe, the ones playing in the I-League, which is not as big, get overlooked." But he was hopeful of his re-inclusion in the squad, "With Gabon failing to make it past the quarters, it is very probable that the coach will depart. With a new coach new opportunities will come, so let's see what might happen then."
He ended on a light note, apologising for his imperfect English and said, "Call me seven months from now, I will have mastered English, Hindi and many regional languages also! Chalo, dost!" he signed off.
With Arkaprabha Chakraborty
Speaking to Goal.com's Arkaprabha Chakraborty, Churchill Brothers' striker, Gabonese Henry Antchouet got candid about India, the I-League, Europe and how he was determined to master Hindi...
When asked about how he had settled in India, Antchouet seemed very pleased with his new port of call, "Yes, my time here has been very enjoyable. Very different from my time in Portugal. I've played in eight countries, but with my family and friends' good wishes behind me, although I've played here for only seven months, it has all been very good." he said enthusiastically.
Asked about the biggest difference he sees between Europe and India in general, the striker thought for a bit and said, "In Europe, everybody is interested in themselves only, wanting houses and jobs. Here in India, Goa and Calcutta especially, the people are more sympathetic towards others."
Speaking about the difference in playing styles, the first thing he had to say is that the players here run too much. Although he admitted that they do have "good feet", he thinks that this wastes a lot of energy. While in Europe "Every game is very intense. It is a whole 90 minutes worth of intensity, more tactical" and that the coaching is geared towards making more tactical runs than just running.
But he also thinks that India is a country with big potential because of the sheer size of the country. And he believes that the Indians have good stamina.
"In Portugal, the weather is much colder and we usually play games at 7 or 8 o' clock but here in India we are always playing, running in the afternoon at 3:30", the Gabonese striker opined.
He said that he had also made a few friends in the national team, but rued that they didn't get the spotlight because "the country is more about cricket."
Asked whether he thought Mumbai FC were too rowdy in the last game where he needed to get stitches, he was quick to oppose the suggestion. "No! Not at all. These things happen during a game. I had a chat with the player after the game, I did not think he meant to injure me."
He praised the Indian game saying that there were two types of aggressiveness, good and bad. But "never in India have I seen any team play for injuring their opponents. This is another big difference from Portugal. There we see people diving and faking injuries to win free-kick and corner kicks and there are fights during set-piece plays also. My team, just like most others plays only for the win."
When asked about his team's chances of winning the I-League this year, he confidently said that Churchill were very much in the title race. "Yes! Yes, of course! It's Dempo 40, East Bengal 35, Mohun Bagan 34 then we have Churchill [tied on points with Salgaocar but behind on Goal difference] on 33. This is a good I-League. An interesting I -League. Who wants a one-sided league? This is a good moment for all teams and I like it. This pressure is when games begin to depend on the mentality of the players."
When asked if he was open to a move back to Europe, he paused for a while before responding, "In this country, it is a totally different experience to be playing for the league title. Back in Europe, I've never played for a Benfica. Here I have the chance to end my career with a few trophies and I am happy to have already won one, the Durand Cup. And I also think that my career is good for the country because I hope that I can share my experience in Europe with the players I come in contact with."
Yet he left the door open, saying, "If any European teams wants me, I'd have to consider but if given the opportunity to stay in India, I'd love to."
When touched about the slightly controversial issue of his non-selection in the final Gabonese squad for the African Cup of Nations, he shrugged it off, saying "I think the thing is because there are so many players playing in Europe, the ones playing in the I-League, which is not as big, get overlooked." But he was hopeful of his re-inclusion in the squad, "With Gabon failing to make it past the quarters, it is very probable that the coach will depart. With a new coach new opportunities will come, so let's see what might happen then."
He ended on a light note, apologising for his imperfect English and said, "Call me seven months from now, I will have mastered English, Hindi and many regional languages also! Chalo, dost!" he signed off.
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