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Governor's Gold Cup Final Preview: Army XI - Three Star
After 13 matches and 30 goals, Army XI and Nepal Three Star have emerged as title contenders of the 30th All India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament being organized by Sikkim Football Association.
24-Oct-2008 1:57:58 PM
Who will be
the champions this time?
Will it be
the free flowing Army XI or the eternal favourites from Nepal? What lies in
store for the passionate football fans of Sikkim in the final game?
All these
queries will be answered tomorrow when 22 players will enter the Paljor
cauldron ready to shed sweat in litres and more for the coveted Gold Cup.
To state in simple terms, one team will lift the Cup while the other vanquished side players will have to contend themselves that they failed at the last hurdle. However, a football match especially the finals of the Governor’s Gold Cup can never be summed up as causally as above and tomorrow’s final match is expected to be a classic.
When the Nepal and Army players are going to walk into the grassy field of Paljor Stadium, a 20,000 strong crowd is going to hit the roof. The crowd pressure itself will set adrenaline pumping among the players, a double edged sword which can swing both ways. A fact which the coaches are well aware of.
“The crowds in Sikkim during the Gold Cup matches is fantastic which motivates us to play harder”, says Upendra Man Singh, Nepal Three Star coach.
Confidence is the mantra of this Nepal side.
“We are here to lift the Cup and we will attack from the word go”, Singh said.
In its two previous matches, Three Star has beaten formidable opponents in Border Security Force (BSF) and Tata Football Academy (TFA) by playing an attacking game. A 4-4-2 format has served the Nepal side very well with most of its attacks coming down the right flank where the team captain Surendra Tamang launches good crosses for his towering striker Santosh Shaukhalah.
Reinforcements from Kathmandu had arrived for the Nepal side beefing up its midfield and striking prowess. In its past two matches, the most potent weapon of Nepal Three Star comes during set pieces. Defender Lok Bandhu Gurung had dumped BSF out of the tournament with a curling free kick. The corners, crosses and free kicks are the bread and butter of the Nepal side which are curled in for maximum effect.
However, the Nepal side is a bit weak on the physical side where the Army men have a slight advantage.
“The Army team is good and has fitter players”, says the Nepal Three Star coach.
Consisting players mostly from the North-eastern region, the Army XI has comprehensively beaten Jammu and Kashmir Bank and Titanium Kerala to enter the finals. The Army players are much fitter and play a free flowing football and do not rely too much on air balls. Short passes between the midfielders usually draws in the opposition players into a trap and then, a lightening attack is made.
The team captain Ngurneilal is the man to watch for the finals. Though lacking in height, Ngurneilal makes up with his low centre of gravity and combines well with his right winger Laldinga to pepper the opposition’s box with crosses for his striker MG Rana to cash on. Nepal Three Star’s right flank will be sorely tested by Ngurneilal and company in tomorrow’s ultimate showdown.
In its past two matches, the Army XI could have rained goals on the outmatched teams but lack of a quality striker prevented the goal fest. However, striker MG Rana is slowly finding his feet and a crucial goal in the semi-final has given him the confidence to score more.
“Nepal's Three Star is a good side with skillful players. It will be a contesting match”, said Army coach Raghvindra Singh.
Bijoy Gurung
To state in simple terms, one team will lift the Cup while the other vanquished side players will have to contend themselves that they failed at the last hurdle. However, a football match especially the finals of the Governor’s Gold Cup can never be summed up as causally as above and tomorrow’s final match is expected to be a classic.
When the Nepal and Army players are going to walk into the grassy field of Paljor Stadium, a 20,000 strong crowd is going to hit the roof. The crowd pressure itself will set adrenaline pumping among the players, a double edged sword which can swing both ways. A fact which the coaches are well aware of.
“The crowds in Sikkim during the Gold Cup matches is fantastic which motivates us to play harder”, says Upendra Man Singh, Nepal Three Star coach.
Confidence is the mantra of this Nepal side.
“We are here to lift the Cup and we will attack from the word go”, Singh said.
In its two previous matches, Three Star has beaten formidable opponents in Border Security Force (BSF) and Tata Football Academy (TFA) by playing an attacking game. A 4-4-2 format has served the Nepal side very well with most of its attacks coming down the right flank where the team captain Surendra Tamang launches good crosses for his towering striker Santosh Shaukhalah.
Reinforcements from Kathmandu had arrived for the Nepal side beefing up its midfield and striking prowess. In its past two matches, the most potent weapon of Nepal Three Star comes during set pieces. Defender Lok Bandhu Gurung had dumped BSF out of the tournament with a curling free kick. The corners, crosses and free kicks are the bread and butter of the Nepal side which are curled in for maximum effect.
However, the Nepal side is a bit weak on the physical side where the Army men have a slight advantage.
“The Army team is good and has fitter players”, says the Nepal Three Star coach.
Consisting players mostly from the North-eastern region, the Army XI has comprehensively beaten Jammu and Kashmir Bank and Titanium Kerala to enter the finals. The Army players are much fitter and play a free flowing football and do not rely too much on air balls. Short passes between the midfielders usually draws in the opposition players into a trap and then, a lightening attack is made.
The team captain Ngurneilal is the man to watch for the finals. Though lacking in height, Ngurneilal makes up with his low centre of gravity and combines well with his right winger Laldinga to pepper the opposition’s box with crosses for his striker MG Rana to cash on. Nepal Three Star’s right flank will be sorely tested by Ngurneilal and company in tomorrow’s ultimate showdown.
In its past two matches, the Army XI could have rained goals on the outmatched teams but lack of a quality striker prevented the goal fest. However, striker MG Rana is slowly finding his feet and a crucial goal in the semi-final has given him the confidence to score more.
“Nepal's Three Star is a good side with skillful players. It will be a contesting match”, said Army coach Raghvindra Singh.
Bijoy Gurung
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