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Federation Cup Final Special: Remembering The Evening When Bruno Coutinho Silenced The East Bengal Fans To Give Salgaocar Their Third Title
Goal.com’s Amoy Ghoshal looks back to the 1997 Federation Cup final when a brace from Bruno Coutinho guided Salgaocar to a 2-1 victory over East Bengal in Kolkata...
29-Sep-2011 4:21:00 AM
By Amoy Ghoshal
Salgaocar SC
Salgaocar SC and East Bengal face-off in a mouthwatering clash to decide the 33rd Federation Cup final later this Thursday evening at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The red and gold brigade is aiming to complete a hat-trick of Fed Cup titles while the Goan club will be playing their first final in 14 years.
Interestingly, Salgaocar’s last appearance in the final also came against East Bengal and at the same venue in the 1997 final, when they won 2-1 thanks to a double from striker Bruno Coutinho to lift their third Federation Cup title.
It is true that winning any trophy is an achievement but the 1997 Fed Cup triumph is extra special because of the manner in which Salgaocar triumphed.
20 July 1997 was the date of the Goan club’s memorable victory but East Bengal too played their part to make it one of the best Federation Cup finals of all time.
The legendary P.K. Banerjee was the technical director of the Kolkata giants and having thrashed arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the semi-final with a certain Bhaichung Bhutia becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the famous derby, all the momentum was with East Bengal going into the final.
The Sikkimese Sniper Was In Great Form
Just like now in 2011, back then also the Kolkata side were the defending champions and had the backing of more than 80,000 supporters inside the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Salgaocar were certainly up against it but had some quality Indian players in their side besides Bruno Coutinho also as current Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira and former India assistant coach Savio Medeira were also part of the team.
Coutinho, an Arjuna Award winner in 2001, recalled that before the match his team were the underdogs but said that he and his teammates didn’t get intimidated.
“East Bengal were in great form as they thrashed Mohun Bagan in the semis with Bhaichung on fire. They also had the backing of a big crowd so we were of course the underdogs.
“But we had a good team spirit and didn’t think much about who was better on paper. The important thing was to give our best on the given day,” the legendary striker told Goal.com.
Salgaocar Legend Bruno Coutinho In The 1997 Federation Cup | Photo: Salgaocar SC
Coutinho gave Salgaocar a first half lead and the T.K.Chattuni-coached side held on to their advantage for a long time and looked like winning the game in the 90 minutes.
However Nigerian Samuel Omollo equalized in the 83rd minute much to the delight and relief of the passionate East Bengal supporters inside the stadium.
The game went to extra time and Coutinho told Goal.com that there wasn’t much planning going into the extra 30 minutes as the players used the break between full time and the start of extra time to take a breather on that hot and humid July evening.
“We led for a long time through my first half goal but they equalized and had all the momentum again. Before the start of the extra-time we didn’t discuss about tactics too much and just took the opportunity to have a little breather.”
And that break rejuvenated Coutinho and company as the striker got on the end of a Savio Medeira pass to score the golden goal and silence the thousands of East Bengal supporters.
The winner came just two minutes after the start of extra-time and Coutinho’s ‘finger on the lips’ celebration remains an iconic moment in Indian club football history.
The 1997 Federation Cup Final Belonged To Bruno Coutinho | Photo: Salgaocar SC
“It was a special feeling to score the golden goal and win the match for my team. East Bengal had their fans but we had our team spirit and we played really well.
“I was lucky to score two vital goals and it remains one of the most memorable moments of my playing career.”
The Salgaocar legend doesn’t have much idea about the current group of players at the Goan club but wished them the very best for the final.
“I don’t have much idea about the current team but my best wishes are with them. I will try to watch the match on television and I think it will be a very good match.”
When asked to give some advice to the current Salgaocar side on how to handle the pressure, Coutinho stated that the I-League holders have a fantastic coach in Karim Bencherifa and thus the Moroccan knows very well how to prepare his team.
“I have been lucky enough to be a part of many high-tension matches and for any player to get better it is important to experience such clashes. It would not be right of me to give any advice as I haven’t followed the current Salgaocar team.
“They have a brilliant coach and I am sure he has got the team totally prepared for the final. East Bengal too will give their best to take revenge of 1997 so it is going to be a close contest,” the former India captain concluded.
Will History Repeat Itself Or Can East Bengal Take Revenge?
It remains to be seen whether history repeats itself or if East Bengal can take revenge of that defeat 14 years ago.
Interestingly, Salgaocar’s last appearance in the final also came against East Bengal and at the same venue in the 1997 final, when they won 2-1 thanks to a double from striker Bruno Coutinho to lift their third Federation Cup title.
It is true that winning any trophy is an achievement but the 1997 Fed Cup triumph is extra special because of the manner in which Salgaocar triumphed.
20 July 1997 was the date of the Goan club’s memorable victory but East Bengal too played their part to make it one of the best Federation Cup finals of all time.
The legendary P.K. Banerjee was the technical director of the Kolkata giants and having thrashed arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the semi-final with a certain Bhaichung Bhutia becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the famous derby, all the momentum was with East Bengal going into the final.
The Sikkimese Sniper Was In Great Form
Just like now in 2011, back then also the Kolkata side were the defending champions and had the backing of more than 80,000 supporters inside the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Salgaocar were certainly up against it but had some quality Indian players in their side besides Bruno Coutinho also as current Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira and former India assistant coach Savio Medeira were also part of the team.
Coutinho, an Arjuna Award winner in 2001, recalled that before the match his team were the underdogs but said that he and his teammates didn’t get intimidated.
“East Bengal were in great form as they thrashed Mohun Bagan in the semis with Bhaichung on fire. They also had the backing of a big crowd so we were of course the underdogs.
“But we had a good team spirit and didn’t think much about who was better on paper. The important thing was to give our best on the given day,” the legendary striker told Goal.com.
Salgaocar Legend Bruno Coutinho In The 1997 Federation Cup | Photo: Salgaocar SC
Coutinho gave Salgaocar a first half lead and the T.K.Chattuni-coached side held on to their advantage for a long time and looked like winning the game in the 90 minutes.
However Nigerian Samuel Omollo equalized in the 83rd minute much to the delight and relief of the passionate East Bengal supporters inside the stadium.
The game went to extra time and Coutinho told Goal.com that there wasn’t much planning going into the extra 30 minutes as the players used the break between full time and the start of extra time to take a breather on that hot and humid July evening.
“We led for a long time through my first half goal but they equalized and had all the momentum again. Before the start of the extra-time we didn’t discuss about tactics too much and just took the opportunity to have a little breather.”
And that break rejuvenated Coutinho and company as the striker got on the end of a Savio Medeira pass to score the golden goal and silence the thousands of East Bengal supporters.
The winner came just two minutes after the start of extra-time and Coutinho’s ‘finger on the lips’ celebration remains an iconic moment in Indian club football history.
The 1997 Federation Cup Final Belonged To Bruno Coutinho | Photo: Salgaocar SC
“It was a special feeling to score the golden goal and win the match for my team. East Bengal had their fans but we had our team spirit and we played really well.
“I was lucky to score two vital goals and it remains one of the most memorable moments of my playing career.”
The Salgaocar legend doesn’t have much idea about the current group of players at the Goan club but wished them the very best for the final.
“I don’t have much idea about the current team but my best wishes are with them. I will try to watch the match on television and I think it will be a very good match.”
When asked to give some advice to the current Salgaocar side on how to handle the pressure, Coutinho stated that the I-League holders have a fantastic coach in Karim Bencherifa and thus the Moroccan knows very well how to prepare his team.
“I have been lucky enough to be a part of many high-tension matches and for any player to get better it is important to experience such clashes. It would not be right of me to give any advice as I haven’t followed the current Salgaocar team.
“They have a brilliant coach and I am sure he has got the team totally prepared for the final. East Bengal too will give their best to take revenge of 1997 so it is going to be a close contest,” the former India captain concluded.
Will History Repeat Itself Or Can East Bengal Take Revenge?
It remains to be seen whether history repeats itself or if East Bengal can take revenge of that defeat 14 years ago.
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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 28-Sep-2011 to 29-Sep-2011
Poll runs from 28-Sep-2011 to 29-Sep-2011
Poll: Who Will Win The Federation Cup Final?
East Bengal
57.41%
Salgaocar
42.59%
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