Ex-coach realises Bhutia’s worth

The goal for Bhutia was special for various reasons. It was his first in four months; it enabled MK Land register their first-ever victory over the Malaysian giants in their maiden meeting and it also ended Perak’s two-match winning run in the Malaysia Cup.

Bhutia’s 73rd minute side volley from inside the box amde Netto say, “You cannot afford to give him an opportunity. He will punish you.”

After beating a side that was his own two years ago, Bhutia said, “Winning is a nice feeling, particularly when your goal makes the difference.

Perak was high on confidence before the match.”

Bhaichung did not exhibit any hangups or mixed feelings.”It’s a game. No hard feelings. You win some you lose some.”

Bhutia did not find Perak’s reaction that professional, though. He said, “We did shake hands, but I must admit that they did it with a heavy heart. It was a match they thought was theirs.”

Thrilled at MK Land’s revived hopes of making it to the next stage, caretaker-cum-coach, Michael Palani put the result as ‘very important and morale boosting’.

Apart from the match-winning effort, Bhutia also set up Mario Mijotovic via a back heel but the latter failed to score.

If the goal earned Bhutia MK Land’s kudos, it also made every member of the team richer by 2000 Malayasian ringitts. “An incentive apart from each players contract,” Palani termed it.