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2009 SAFF Cup: Meet The Winner Of All Enemies - Arindam Bhattacharya
The Most Valuable Player of the just concluded SAFF Cup spoke to Goal.com...
16-Dec-2009 12:57:58 PM
Flashback: It was the penultimate match of Churchill
Brothers in the I-League last season when they were leading 1-0 to Air India at
the Cooperage Stadium and a win would have almost guaranteed them their first
I-League title. Until the 89th minute, the Goan side lead but Airmen
drew parity after Arindam Bhattacharya made a hash of his charge.
Despite being fit for the final game against Mohammedan Sporting, he was overlooked and made to sit on the bench as the club management coupled with the then coach, Zoran Djordjevic didn’t think it wise to play him.
Why Me?
“I was hurt back then as I was mentally ready to play. I must admit that I didn’t play well and hence, was dropped. Tomorrow again if I play bad, I’m sure I’ll be dropped. I was explained by Mr.Churchill when I signed again for the club as to why I wasn’t played and probably, if I was in his position too, I wouldn’t have taken a gamble.
“It’s also about choice. Some like red while some like some other colour. But yes, I didn’t feel very good about it,” said Arindam on being reminded about the unsavoury incident in the not too distant past.
And this is the fate of the best I-League goalkeeper award winner. However, the times have changed and Arindam has proved his mettle with fantastic saves in the penalty shootout against Maldives in the finals of the SAFF Cup and thereby, being regarded as the “SAFF Cup hero.”
V For Victory!
“I can’t keep living in the past and I have to look forward to new things. I didn’t play well to prove a point to anyone. Now, I’m all geared up about the Federation Cup,” he states in a voice which is full of belief and confidence.
It was back in the village named Sodepur, the same place from where Subrata Paul also hails from, that young Arindam began his football sojourn. Being naughty as a kid, the player choose goalkeeper as his position for a rather weird reason.
Diving And Catching!
“I loved to dive and catch and so decided to play as a goalkeeper. When I would play cricket too, I preferred the being the wicketkeeper,” said the player nostalgically.
He was the captain of Barrackpore Central Model School and won several tournaments for them, which finally saw him join the Tata Football Academy (TFA) following his class X.
“I spent two years at TFA where I completed my studies till class XII. Then I joined Churchill Brothers and since, then I’m with them.”
Being the second son of the middle class Bhattacharya family, did his parents ever hinder his interest in football?
“They knew I couldn’t do anything in studies and hence, allowed me to play,” said the player jokingly.
After his first season with Churchill Brothers, he was called for the national camp and went to Portugal in 2007 before the Nehru Cup and since then, has been a regular member of the team.
“I played in the India U-19 team and after that, this is the first time when I played for the national side,” he mentions.
Like Subrata Paul, Arindam also prefers to work under Debashish Mukherjee , the former India goalkeeper, who has been a constant guide for the Churchill custodian as well.
“During the off-season, Mistu (Subrata Paul) and I would train under Debashish Da. After every game, I speak to him for advice and he guides me,” said the 20 year old.
Thanks Bob And Sukhi Sir!
For his success, the first name which he utters is “Bob Sir” which is followed by “Sukhi Sir.” What is it that makes Bob Houghton such a magnetic personality that almost everyone loves to work with him?
“The thing is that he knows what he wants and he makes you understand what he wants, which is even more important. Also he is very particular about what he wants as well. He’ll show you video clips and get into the intricacies.
“I also want to thank Sukhi (Sukhwinder Singh) Sir and my team-mates,” adds ‘Ari’, as he is known to his friends.
And going by his current form, it seems there’s no stopping Arindam and his enemies beware! ‘Coz the name is Arindam, the winner of all foes!
Hobby: Browsing the internet, listening Bengalli music
Favourite Actor: Akhshay Kumar
Favourite Actress: Everyone J
Favourite Club: Manchester United
Favourite Goalkeeper: Oliver Kahn
Rahul Bali.
For more on the SAFF Cup, please visit our SAFF Cup section!
Despite being fit for the final game against Mohammedan Sporting, he was overlooked and made to sit on the bench as the club management coupled with the then coach, Zoran Djordjevic didn’t think it wise to play him.
Why Me?
“I was hurt back then as I was mentally ready to play. I must admit that I didn’t play well and hence, was dropped. Tomorrow again if I play bad, I’m sure I’ll be dropped. I was explained by Mr.Churchill when I signed again for the club as to why I wasn’t played and probably, if I was in his position too, I wouldn’t have taken a gamble.
“It’s also about choice. Some like red while some like some other colour. But yes, I didn’t feel very good about it,” said Arindam on being reminded about the unsavoury incident in the not too distant past.
And this is the fate of the best I-League goalkeeper award winner. However, the times have changed and Arindam has proved his mettle with fantastic saves in the penalty shootout against Maldives in the finals of the SAFF Cup and thereby, being regarded as the “SAFF Cup hero.”
V For Victory!
“I can’t keep living in the past and I have to look forward to new things. I didn’t play well to prove a point to anyone. Now, I’m all geared up about the Federation Cup,” he states in a voice which is full of belief and confidence.
It was back in the village named Sodepur, the same place from where Subrata Paul also hails from, that young Arindam began his football sojourn. Being naughty as a kid, the player choose goalkeeper as his position for a rather weird reason.
Diving And Catching!
“I loved to dive and catch and so decided to play as a goalkeeper. When I would play cricket too, I preferred the being the wicketkeeper,” said the player nostalgically.
He was the captain of Barrackpore Central Model School and won several tournaments for them, which finally saw him join the Tata Football Academy (TFA) following his class X.
“I spent two years at TFA where I completed my studies till class XII. Then I joined Churchill Brothers and since, then I’m with them.”
Being the second son of the middle class Bhattacharya family, did his parents ever hinder his interest in football?
“They knew I couldn’t do anything in studies and hence, allowed me to play,” said the player jokingly.
After his first season with Churchill Brothers, he was called for the national camp and went to Portugal in 2007 before the Nehru Cup and since then, has been a regular member of the team.
“I played in the India U-19 team and after that, this is the first time when I played for the national side,” he mentions.
Like Subrata Paul, Arindam also prefers to work under Debashish Mukherjee , the former India goalkeeper, who has been a constant guide for the Churchill custodian as well.
“During the off-season, Mistu (Subrata Paul) and I would train under Debashish Da. After every game, I speak to him for advice and he guides me,” said the 20 year old.
Thanks Bob And Sukhi Sir!
For his success, the first name which he utters is “Bob Sir” which is followed by “Sukhi Sir.” What is it that makes Bob Houghton such a magnetic personality that almost everyone loves to work with him?
“The thing is that he knows what he wants and he makes you understand what he wants, which is even more important. Also he is very particular about what he wants as well. He’ll show you video clips and get into the intricacies.
“I also want to thank Sukhi (Sukhwinder Singh) Sir and my team-mates,” adds ‘Ari’, as he is known to his friends.
And going by his current form, it seems there’s no stopping Arindam and his enemies beware! ‘Coz the name is Arindam, the winner of all foes!
Hobby: Browsing the internet, listening Bengalli music
Favourite Actor: Akhshay Kumar
Favourite Actress: Everyone J
Favourite Club: Manchester United
Favourite Goalkeeper: Oliver Kahn
Rahul Bali.
For more on the SAFF Cup, please visit our SAFF Cup section!
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