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Best Of 2000-09: Bhaichung Bhutia Is The Best Indian Player Of The Last Decade
It’s a New Day, a New Year and of course, a New Decade. Goal.com looks back and names as to who was the player who excelled the most in Indian football...
01-Jan-2010 10:19:04 AM
Bhaichung Bhutia is a name that’s synonymous with Indian
football. And why not? He has achieved everything Indian football has to offer
and has often been the shining light when there was darkness all around. It wouldn't be unfair to call him the torchbearer of Indian football.
The First Goal!
The Sikkimese Sniper started the decade with a goal against Chesterfield in the English League back in 2000 in his time with Bury FC.
Training In The Cold
Due to recurring injuries, he couldn’t make much of an impact abroad however; he was only the second Indian player to play in the United Kingdom after the legendary Mohammed Salim.
His injury woes continued as he couldn’t offer much to Mohun Bagan during his one year stay at the club. Bhaichung returned to East Bengal in 2003 and was part of one of the most successful eras at the club where they won several trophies including the ASEAN CUP where he scored in the finals and was voted the Man of the Match as well in addition to being the topscorer of the tournament with nine goals.
The Trademark Celebration!
After three successful years with the Red and Gold’s, he joined the Green and Maroons where he famously scored a hat-trick in the first half against Dempo SC in the Super Cup. Here he also won the treble of Federation Cup, the Super Cup and the Kolkata League in the 2008-09 season.
The Hero
For the national team, he scored twice in the LG Cup final against Vietnam which was the first tournament India won on foreign soil for more than three decades. Thereafter, he won the Most Valuable Player award in the 2005 SAFF Cup victory in Pakistan where he found the back of the net in the finals.
In the 2007 Nehru Cup, his contribution was equally valuable as he played his part in getting the Syrian team down to ten men in the final and also scored a few crucial goals in the tournament which India lifted for the first time since its inception.
The Most Valuable Player!
AFC Challenge Cup success has been described as the “sweetest memory” by Bhaichung himself. He scored twice against Turkmenistan and came off the bench to equalise against Tajikistan to keep India in the tournament and even scored in the finals to win the Most Valuable Player award. The victory over Tajikistan in the final meant a place in the 2011 Asian Cup!
Leading From The Front
Much was written about India’s chances in the 2009 Nehru Cup after their opening day defeat at the hands of Lebanon after a much publicized tour of Barcelona. Just when the chips were down, Bhaichung rose to the occasion and helped India win their next games against Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka to book a place in the final. In the finals as well, he won the free-kick from which Renedy Singh scored and rightfully, claimed the Player of the tournament honour.
At The Goal4Africa Party!
Oh yes, he featured in the Goal4Africa game where he scored twice and rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of the people’s game like Michael Ballack, Clarence Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso and Nigel De Jong.
I'm A Disco Dancer!
Off the field, he won a popular dance reality show which was the bone of contention between him and Mohun Bagan whereby, began a dirty battle which still hasn’t ended till date.
The Big Brother!
Following his stint in England, he realised the need to have a professional organization to address the needs of the players and came up with the Football Players Association of India (FPAI), who recently conducted an award function as well and are constantly striving towards helping the ex-players.
He was won the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour conferred by the Indian Government and the Indian Player of the Year on two occasions. The Tinkitam Express is also India’s most capped player winning his 100th in the Nehru Cup 2009.
Age Changes, Class Remains Forever!
At 33, he is still going strong and every time he comes on the field, he adds a new dimension as was seen in the two substitution appearances he made in the ongoing Federation Cup – scoring and providing an assist.
He is a true leader and it’s due to personalities like him that Indian football is still alive and kicking!
Goal.com India
Do YOU Agree With Us? Is Bhaichung Bhutia The Best Player Of The Last Decade?
The First Goal!
The Sikkimese Sniper started the decade with a goal against Chesterfield in the English League back in 2000 in his time with Bury FC.
Training In The Cold
Due to recurring injuries, he couldn’t make much of an impact abroad however; he was only the second Indian player to play in the United Kingdom after the legendary Mohammed Salim.
His injury woes continued as he couldn’t offer much to Mohun Bagan during his one year stay at the club. Bhaichung returned to East Bengal in 2003 and was part of one of the most successful eras at the club where they won several trophies including the ASEAN CUP where he scored in the finals and was voted the Man of the Match as well in addition to being the topscorer of the tournament with nine goals.
The Trademark Celebration!
After three successful years with the Red and Gold’s, he joined the Green and Maroons where he famously scored a hat-trick in the first half against Dempo SC in the Super Cup. Here he also won the treble of Federation Cup, the Super Cup and the Kolkata League in the 2008-09 season.
The Hero
For the national team, he scored twice in the LG Cup final against Vietnam which was the first tournament India won on foreign soil for more than three decades. Thereafter, he won the Most Valuable Player award in the 2005 SAFF Cup victory in Pakistan where he found the back of the net in the finals.
In the 2007 Nehru Cup, his contribution was equally valuable as he played his part in getting the Syrian team down to ten men in the final and also scored a few crucial goals in the tournament which India lifted for the first time since its inception.
The Most Valuable Player!
AFC Challenge Cup success has been described as the “sweetest memory” by Bhaichung himself. He scored twice against Turkmenistan and came off the bench to equalise against Tajikistan to keep India in the tournament and even scored in the finals to win the Most Valuable Player award. The victory over Tajikistan in the final meant a place in the 2011 Asian Cup!
Leading From The Front
Much was written about India’s chances in the 2009 Nehru Cup after their opening day defeat at the hands of Lebanon after a much publicized tour of Barcelona. Just when the chips were down, Bhaichung rose to the occasion and helped India win their next games against Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka to book a place in the final. In the finals as well, he won the free-kick from which Renedy Singh scored and rightfully, claimed the Player of the tournament honour.
At The Goal4Africa Party!
Oh yes, he featured in the Goal4Africa game where he scored twice and rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of the people’s game like Michael Ballack, Clarence Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso and Nigel De Jong.
I'm A Disco Dancer!
Off the field, he won a popular dance reality show which was the bone of contention between him and Mohun Bagan whereby, began a dirty battle which still hasn’t ended till date.
The Big Brother!
Following his stint in England, he realised the need to have a professional organization to address the needs of the players and came up with the Football Players Association of India (FPAI), who recently conducted an award function as well and are constantly striving towards helping the ex-players.
He was won the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour conferred by the Indian Government and the Indian Player of the Year on two occasions. The Tinkitam Express is also India’s most capped player winning his 100th in the Nehru Cup 2009.
Age Changes, Class Remains Forever!
At 33, he is still going strong and every time he comes on the field, he adds a new dimension as was seen in the two substitution appearances he made in the ongoing Federation Cup – scoring and providing an assist.
He is a true leader and it’s due to personalities like him that Indian football is still alive and kicking!
Goal.com India
Do YOU Agree With Us? Is Bhaichung Bhutia The Best Player Of The Last Decade?
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