2009 Nehru Cup Hero Subrata Paul Named Player Of The Year

The Pune FC custodian bags the prestigious award for his heroics in national team colours.

20-Oct-2009 9:55:55 PM

More On :  India, Pune FC
Nehru cup: Subrata Paul, Goal Keeper, Inda

The AIFF (All India Football Federation) has declared Subrata Paul as the ‘Player Of The Year’ at its annual general meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. Paul also recieved Rs.5,00,000 as prize money..

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The Pune FC goalkeeper has always performed better for the national team. His performances in the 07 and 09 Nehru Cup and in the 08 AFC Challenge Cup are a proof of that.

 

At club level he won the best goalkeeper award in the 07-08 season because of his consistent performances that kept East Bengal in the I-League.

 

But it hasn’t been all rosy for Paul during his career. In  the 2004 Federation Cup final while playing for Mohun Bagan he collided with Dempo striker Cristiano Junior following which the Brazilian went down on the field and was declared dead. It earned Subrata a two month suspension.

 

He was further show caused for allegedly having taken a ‘bribe’ after Mohun Bagan’s 1-4 defeat at the hands of arch rivals East Bengal in a 2005 IFA Shield match.

 

Despite those low points the TATA Football Academy graduate never gave up and joined East Bengal in 2007 and shined for them in his first season.

 

Paul did not have a good season for the red and gold brigade last season but kept his place in the starting eleven of the national team.

 

He started in all four of India’s Barcelona tour matches and produced a string of good performances there.

 

In the 2009 Nehru Cup, Paul was in the form of his life as he only conceded one goal from open play and also saved a penalty against Kyrgyzstan in the round robin stage.

 

Then in the final Paul saved three penalties that helped India win the shootout 5-4 and retain the trophy.

 

For the very first time a goalkeeper has won this award. Skipper Bhaichung Bhutia has won the award twice while former international striker I M Vijayan has won it thrice since its inception in 1992.

Amoy Ghoshal

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