Chatunny faces tough test

MARGAO, Jan 24: Tomorrow's Philips National Football League NFL match between Salgaocar and Mohun Bagan has more to it than just being a c...

MARGAO, Jan 24: Tomorrow8217;s Philips National Football League NFL match between Salgaocar and Mohun Bagan has more to it than just being a crunch game between two title aspirants.

Both Mohun Bagan, with T K Chatunny as coach, and Chatunny8217;s former club Salgaocar, may view the match as a grudge encounter.

Chatunny is making his first visit to Goa as coach after the controversy involving his leaving the Goan side to join Mohun Bagan in December.

After legal action by Salgaocar, Chatunny was admonished by court and was forced to tender an apology. Salgaocar claimed breach of contract.

Chatunny, who views tomorrow8217;s game at the Fatorda Stadium as one of his illustrious career8217;s toughest, is equally concerned on the bad publicity that he got in a section of the local press which reported he was fined a little over Rs 1 lakh as part of the settlement enforced by court. Even while discussing his team8217;s prospects, Chatunny took pains to explain that he came clean in the fracas.

While doing so, the coach, who guided Salgaocar to an epic Federation Cup triumph last season, explained his reasons for leaving the Goan side. Chatunny also made it clear that the Rs 1 lakh that he paid Salgaocar Sports Club was merely a part of the loan he had to repay, along with legal fees.

Chatunny claimed it was friction with assistant coach Nobert Gonzalves that made him unhappy at Salgaocar, along with the club8217;s failure to honour verbal agreements on salary, made before he signed up.

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All said and done, the ingredients are ready for a fascinating duel tomorrow as Chatunny attempts to prove a point to Goan fans. The hardworking coach loves Goa, having played and coached here extensively. But with recent happenings as background, along with his reputedly professional approach, Chatunny is going to have the best interests of Bagan at heart.

8220;There is a lot of prestige at stake,8221; Chatunny said. 8220;Salgaocar are going to be all worked up to beat the coach who left them.8221; Salgaocar, besides playing at home, are fresher than their Calcutta adversaries, who have been through the rigours of a demanding league schedule at home added to a gruelling all-India programme.

Bagan, now leading the table, are expected to field two Liberians in the second leg of the competition. Verma Pote, a wing-half and Wallis, a striker, are expected to boost the side8217;s attack when action gets going after a short break in February.

The sides have not met for over a year, adding to the intrigue surrounding the encounter.