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My Memories: Winning The SAFF Cup In Pakistan Was A Great Feeling - Mehtab Hossain
The East Bengal player shared his 2005 SAFF Cup triumph memories..
02-Dec-2009 8:05:19 PM
East
Bengal’s Mehtab Hossain was a key member of the India squad that won the 2005
SAFF Cup in Pakistan. It is the
only international trophy Mehtab has won with the national team and so he considers it to be one of the best moments of his career.
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “It was a great experience in 2005 as we won the SAFF Cup for the first time in six years and that too in Pakistan.
“I always wondered how it would be like for an Indian to play in Pakistan and when it actually happened I felt very proud. "
"Representing your nation is always an honour and to win a trophy is an even better feeling so it would remain as one of the best moments of my life.”
Mehtab played in that tournament as a striker and scored two goals in a group game against Nepal, which India won 2-1. However he has gone onto make a name for himself as a midfielder and even though he is not part of the national setup now, the former Mohun Bagan man has no regrets and is hopeful of returning to the national team.
“I played really well alongside Bhaichung and of course those two goals against Nepal so I enjoyed playing upfront.
“But I am equally happy playing at midfield and I am really enjoying my football now also. It would be great if I get to play for India again and I believe anything is possible in life if you keep working hard and have faith in God.”
Like many other former heroes, Mehtab has backed the move to send an Under-23 team for this year’s SAFF Cup and feels it would benefit the senior team in the long run.
“Bob Houghton is a genius. He has a lot of experience and knows very well what he is doing. The plan to send an Under-23 squad is a very good idea because it will give players in that age category some much needed an international exposure.
“In a few years time it would help them to get ready for much tougher challenges so ultimately the senior team would profit.”
The 27 year old agrees that other teams in the sub-continent has improved but still fancies the India Under-23 team to win the tournament.
“Other countries have been improving in the recent past but India have the ability to win the competition even with a Under-23 team.
“Even though Bob Houghton is not the coach, I am sure all the players have been prepared in the same way as the senior team and of course Sukhwinder Singh is also very experienced so India do have a great chance.”
Finally, Mehtab stated that the SAFF Cup is still a very important tournament as regional pride is at stake and more importantly it will give India the chance to win an international competition
“SAFF Cup still remains a very prestigious tournament for our country. We must not forget that we are facing our neighbouring countries so there will be a lot of pride at stake.
"In any case it is a chance to win an international tournament so the team should be aiming to win it,” he concluded.
Amoy Ghoshal
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “It was a great experience in 2005 as we won the SAFF Cup for the first time in six years and that too in Pakistan.
“I always wondered how it would be like for an Indian to play in Pakistan and when it actually happened I felt very proud. "
"Representing your nation is always an honour and to win a trophy is an even better feeling so it would remain as one of the best moments of my life.”
Mehtab played in that tournament as a striker and scored two goals in a group game against Nepal, which India won 2-1. However he has gone onto make a name for himself as a midfielder and even though he is not part of the national setup now, the former Mohun Bagan man has no regrets and is hopeful of returning to the national team.
“I played really well alongside Bhaichung and of course those two goals against Nepal so I enjoyed playing upfront.
“But I am equally happy playing at midfield and I am really enjoying my football now also. It would be great if I get to play for India again and I believe anything is possible in life if you keep working hard and have faith in God.”
Like many other former heroes, Mehtab has backed the move to send an Under-23 team for this year’s SAFF Cup and feels it would benefit the senior team in the long run.
“Bob Houghton is a genius. He has a lot of experience and knows very well what he is doing. The plan to send an Under-23 squad is a very good idea because it will give players in that age category some much needed an international exposure.
“In a few years time it would help them to get ready for much tougher challenges so ultimately the senior team would profit.”
The 27 year old agrees that other teams in the sub-continent has improved but still fancies the India Under-23 team to win the tournament.
“Other countries have been improving in the recent past but India have the ability to win the competition even with a Under-23 team.
“Even though Bob Houghton is not the coach, I am sure all the players have been prepared in the same way as the senior team and of course Sukhwinder Singh is also very experienced so India do have a great chance.”
Finally, Mehtab stated that the SAFF Cup is still a very important tournament as regional pride is at stake and more importantly it will give India the chance to win an international competition
“SAFF Cup still remains a very prestigious tournament for our country. We must not forget that we are facing our neighbouring countries so there will be a lot of pride at stake.
"In any case it is a chance to win an international tournament so the team should be aiming to win it,” he concluded.
Amoy Ghoshal
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