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Santosh Trophy: Fans Speak - Can Bengal Finally Win Their 30th Title?
What do you think?
18-Jul-2010 5:08:00 AM
By Arunava Nag
Since its inception in 1941, the Santosh Trophy has been dominated by West Bengal as they have been the most successful team with 29 titles to their credit.
The 64th edition is taking place in Bengal and the hosts will be seen in action from the quarterfinal group stage. They narrowly missed out on their 30th crown last year after losing to Goa on penalties.
Bengal have actually not won the trophy since 1999 but will be determined to do so this time.
Goal.com caught up with three Bengal fans - Arindam Bannerjee, Abhirup Mitra and Sreejib Mukherjee to voice their opinion on the chances of their favourite team in the 2010 Santosh Trophy.
Goal.com: Do you think Shabbir Ali is the right man to guide Bengal to their 30th title?
Arindam Bannerjee: I think Shabbir Ali is the right man for Bengal. He is dignified in his field and among the pool of Bengal coaches he has been there and done that as a player. Moreover his authoritarian attitude and the style of simple football is just what Bengal needs.
Abhirup Mitra: According to me the right man for Bengal is Subhash Bhowmik and not Shabbir Ali. He follows a tactical football and the most important part of his coaching is that he increases the level of self confidence in his players.
Sreejib Mukherjee: Yes, IFA has done the right thing by naming Shabbir Ali as the coach for Bengal. He has been coaching in Kolkata for many years, and thus knows some talented names from small clubs like Railway FC, Tollygunge Agragami, BNR, etc.
Goal.com: How far do you think Bengal will go in Santosh Trophy this time?
Arindam Bannerjee: As they are starting the tournament from the quarterfinal group stage, we expect them to go the final. I believe that they have the capability of regaining the title this year.
Abhirup Mitra: The Bengal squad has enough quality to go on and become champions. If they don’t it will be a big upset.
Sreejib Mukherjee: Santosh Trophy is a prestigious trophy, especially for Bengal. They have conquered it 29 times. So the players should go for the trophy right from the beginning of the tournament. Moreover they are starting from the quarterfinal stage so they have a very good chance.
Goal.com: Which teams do you think will the biggest threats for Bengal?
Arindam Bannerjee: The first name that comes to my mind is definitely the defending champions, Goa though they don’t have the same team. Next is Punjab and Services. Punjab has a good team this year and Services is a team which always gives 100%. Moreover Services plays without any pressure as they don’t have much fan following. This gives them the freedom to attack more often.
Abhirup Mitra: The only trouble which I see for Bengal is Goa. However I think they will struggle to retain their title.
Sreejib Mukherjee: According to the recent results in the Santosh Trophy I think the threats will be from the defending champions Goa, Maharashtra and Manipur.
Goal.com: Will Bengal have an advantage being the hosts?
Arindam Bannerjee: Obviously it will be an advantage for Bengal. First of all the players are habituated with the climate and the rainfall. Secondly they are having regular practice in the turf of Yuba Bharati Krirangan where the matches will be played from quarterfinal stage.
Abhirup Mitra: Yes, there will be some advantage for Bengal as they will avoid some problems related to grounds and climate which the other sides might face.
Sreejib Mukherjee: The only advantage that the Bengal team will get is that they will play freely on the artificial turf of the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Goal.com: Thank you for your time.
The 64th edition is taking place in Bengal and the hosts will be seen in action from the quarterfinal group stage. They narrowly missed out on their 30th crown last year after losing to Goa on penalties.
Bengal have actually not won the trophy since 1999 but will be determined to do so this time.
Goal.com caught up with three Bengal fans - Arindam Bannerjee, Abhirup Mitra and Sreejib Mukherjee to voice their opinion on the chances of their favourite team in the 2010 Santosh Trophy.
Goal.com: Do you think Shabbir Ali is the right man to guide Bengal to their 30th title?
Arindam Bannerjee: I think Shabbir Ali is the right man for Bengal. He is dignified in his field and among the pool of Bengal coaches he has been there and done that as a player. Moreover his authoritarian attitude and the style of simple football is just what Bengal needs.
Abhirup Mitra: According to me the right man for Bengal is Subhash Bhowmik and not Shabbir Ali. He follows a tactical football and the most important part of his coaching is that he increases the level of self confidence in his players.
Sreejib Mukherjee: Yes, IFA has done the right thing by naming Shabbir Ali as the coach for Bengal. He has been coaching in Kolkata for many years, and thus knows some talented names from small clubs like Railway FC, Tollygunge Agragami, BNR, etc.
Goal.com: How far do you think Bengal will go in Santosh Trophy this time?
Arindam Bannerjee: As they are starting the tournament from the quarterfinal group stage, we expect them to go the final. I believe that they have the capability of regaining the title this year.
Abhirup Mitra: The Bengal squad has enough quality to go on and become champions. If they don’t it will be a big upset.
Sreejib Mukherjee: Santosh Trophy is a prestigious trophy, especially for Bengal. They have conquered it 29 times. So the players should go for the trophy right from the beginning of the tournament. Moreover they are starting from the quarterfinal stage so they have a very good chance.
Goal.com: Which teams do you think will the biggest threats for Bengal?
Arindam Bannerjee: The first name that comes to my mind is definitely the defending champions, Goa though they don’t have the same team. Next is Punjab and Services. Punjab has a good team this year and Services is a team which always gives 100%. Moreover Services plays without any pressure as they don’t have much fan following. This gives them the freedom to attack more often.
Abhirup Mitra: The only trouble which I see for Bengal is Goa. However I think they will struggle to retain their title.
Sreejib Mukherjee: According to the recent results in the Santosh Trophy I think the threats will be from the defending champions Goa, Maharashtra and Manipur.
Goal.com: Will Bengal have an advantage being the hosts?
Arindam Bannerjee: Obviously it will be an advantage for Bengal. First of all the players are habituated with the climate and the rainfall. Secondly they are having regular practice in the turf of Yuba Bharati Krirangan where the matches will be played from quarterfinal stage.
Abhirup Mitra: Yes, there will be some advantage for Bengal as they will avoid some problems related to grounds and climate which the other sides might face.
Sreejib Mukherjee: The only advantage that the Bengal team will get is that they will play freely on the artificial turf of the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Goal.com: Thank you for your time.
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