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Santosh Trophy: The Best Moment In My Coaching Career Is Here – Bengal Coach Shabbir Ali
The man who helped Bengal break the jinx
09-Aug-2010 11:59:00 PM
By Rahul Sengupta
It took 11 long years for Bengal to finally clinch their 30th Santosh Trophy title after defeating Punjab in the final on Sunday. Bengal coach Shabbir Ali is a proud man after guiding his team to the title.
Goal.com caught up with the man himself shortly after the end of the big clash.
Expressing his joy after winning the coveted title Shabbir Ali said, “I am very happy and I am feeling great to have helped Bengal win the Santosh Trophy after so many years. It is the best achievement of my coaching career so far. It is a collective achievement”
Shabbir Ali is one of the few players to have won the prestigious trophy both as a player and coach. Sharing some of his past experiences Ali said, “I won the Santosh Trophy for Bengal as a player in 1979 and as a coach I was in charge of Goa team in 1999 when Bengal defeated us in the final. So it is great to be back on the winning side.”
Bengal had to face too many injury problems but despite that they pulled off a splendid victory. Discussing about the injuries and other concerns the former India striker said, “In the last match I only had three fit defenders left in the bench so it was a very tight situation as I had no chance of changing tactics.”
Applauding the efforts of matchwinner Denson Devadas and the entire team, he said, “Denson was brilliant. He had a good season with Chirag and his fine form continued here. The entire team did their best to create history for Bengal Football.”
Shabbir Ali, who mutually parted ways with Mohammedan Sporting, is now without a football assignment. When quizzed about what next? He replied with a smile, “Lets see”.
Goal.com caught up with the man himself shortly after the end of the big clash.
Expressing his joy after winning the coveted title Shabbir Ali said, “I am very happy and I am feeling great to have helped Bengal win the Santosh Trophy after so many years. It is the best achievement of my coaching career so far. It is a collective achievement”
Shabbir Ali is one of the few players to have won the prestigious trophy both as a player and coach. Sharing some of his past experiences Ali said, “I won the Santosh Trophy for Bengal as a player in 1979 and as a coach I was in charge of Goa team in 1999 when Bengal defeated us in the final. So it is great to be back on the winning side.”
Bengal had to face too many injury problems but despite that they pulled off a splendid victory. Discussing about the injuries and other concerns the former India striker said, “In the last match I only had three fit defenders left in the bench so it was a very tight situation as I had no chance of changing tactics.”
Applauding the efforts of matchwinner Denson Devadas and the entire team, he said, “Denson was brilliant. He had a good season with Chirag and his fine form continued here. The entire team did their best to create history for Bengal Football.”
Shabbir Ali, who mutually parted ways with Mohammedan Sporting, is now without a football assignment. When quizzed about what next? He replied with a smile, “Lets see”.
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