All roads lead to Goa

“I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok,” Shaquille O’Neal had once said. Of course, Shaq’s casual, yet telling statement lays bare the truth about the money matters in sports.

When the 27th edition of the Federation Cup gets underway in Goa from October 19, Pepsi and Reebok might not be there, but there will be all the money.

The 14-day meet will see India’s top clubs with their top footballers grace the shores of Goa.

This year, of course, the tournament is special. Zee Sports, a private channel is telecasting the whole event live. And, they have created the right buzz around it too - promos, ads and a world class all-English commentary crew (John Helm and Russell Osman have been roped in for the job).

Never before has a football tournament in India created more interest. Indian football, over the years, has been a three-state affair, Goa and Bengal being the perennial strong houses with Kerala coming a distant third.

Last year’s Federation Cup was catapulted to the front pages because of the tragic death of Dempo’s Brazilian striker Cristiano Junior. However, all would be hoping that in this year’s tournament, football would make the news.

Dempo are the defending champions; a Junior goal in the final against Mohan Bagan gave them a 2-0 win. This year too, the Goans are the favourites, but are expected to face tough competition from East Bengal and Mumbai’s Mahindra United.

Here’s a look at who could make the difference in the Federation Cup.

Foreign flavour

Africa is the flavour of the season. Four of the five teams (Togo, Ivory Coast, Angola and Ghana) qualified for the World Cup from the continent will be making their first appearance in the mega event in Germany. The Africans are ruling the roost in India too. Most top clubs in India have imported talents from the Dark Continent to strut their stuff in India.

East Bengal have the burly Nigerian Mike Okoro and giving him company would be Sidney Nakalanga from South Africa.

“Sidney and Okoro are special players. They could prove crucial in our team’s chances. Of course, we are a squad of twenty and all twenty are just as important,” said Subhas Bhowmick, coach, East Bengal. The Kolkata club are also looking at a Congolese player who would accompany the team to Goa.

Mohun Bagan, East Bengal’s arch-rivals, have Gley Yao Rodrigue from Togo, whose recent performance with the club could more than boost his team’s chances.

Dempo’s Nigerian striker Ranty Martins Soleye has countrymen Badmos Baba Tunde and Najeke Bolhjifor company. Their coach, Armando Colaco says, “They are a very talented bunch of boys. We are looking to retain our title and the three of them should fire for us, which would definitely make it difficult for other teams.”

While Africans may be there aplenty, Brazilians have taken a liking to India. Mumbai team Mahindra United managed a coup of sorts, signing Jose Ramirez Barretto from FC Pennang. Barretto had played for Bagan before travelling eastward to play in Malaysia. For Mahindra’s cause, Barretto’s stint with Bagan could prove the decisive factor. They also have in their ranks Ghana’s Yusif Yakubu, whom they signed from Goa’s Churchill Brothers. Yakubu and Barretto will be joined by Nigerian Gabriel Umeh, Mahindra’s latest signing. Barretto has his countryman Fabio Dod Passos playing for Goa’s Salgaocar Sports Club.

Boys from the backyard

The foreigners may be the show-stealers in Goa but the home-grown talents need not be written off. With the non-participation of Baichung Bhutia in the Federation Cup, it could be time for others to break into the limelight. Most teams have a good mix of youth and experience.

East Bengal’s Jatin Bisht, Syed Rahim Nabi along with Alvito D’Cunha and I M Vijayan are men Bhowmick would be relying on.

Mahindras have Indian captain Shanmugham Venkatesh to stabilise things in the mid-field. Abhishek Yadav and Steven Dias have worked well in tandem and the calming influence of Mahesh Gawli would surely work in the jeepmen’s favour.

Dempo’s Joaquim Abranches, the 18-year-old centre forward, has been creating waves in Goan leagues. Those who have seen him believe he could be the next big thing in Indian football. His coach Colaco has strong words of praise for him. “He is very hard working and dedicated - he’s the player to watch out for in the future.”

Goa is ready

Federation Cup was started as a club competition in 1977. While the format has undergone many changes, the tournament remains the second most popular after the National Football League. This year’s edition comes with all the glamour and glitz. Goa is ready.