Khalid Jamil — A medio who hates to lose

Twenty-year-old Khalid Jamil, the Maharashtra linkman, who is one of the best players seen in this edition of the Santosh Trophy, would fit into their lose. A player with admirable ball control, and a peripheral vision to spot open spaces, Khalid has proved to be a menace even when he was without the ball, because of the speed with which he runs into open areas.

AMOROS’ LESSONS: Born in Kuwait, where his parents were settled, Jamil was fortunate to have learnt the rudiments of the game from none less than Manuel Amoros, the full back of the legendary French side of the 1980s, when he attended a sub-junior camp. Jamil remembers a visit by the great Michael Platini to the camp. The French legend too had a few valuable tips for the kids.

After settling down in Mumbai, Jamil got his first break, when he was selected to the Maharashtra State team for the Junior Nationals. He joined Mahindras in 1997. Though he was selected to the national camp for Nehru Cup, a groin injury forced him to sit out. He joined Air-India a couple of years later.

“A player who hates to be beaten by a rival, ” comments the Maharashtra coach Harish Rao on the youngster. “His control and fighting spirit are unique.”

SCORING AT WILL: Mohammed Najeeb, who tops the scorers’ list, hails from Kannur, the Mecca of Kerala football. He honed his skills under coach K Bharatan. Najeeb started his career with Kannur Gymkhana, later switching to Tata Tea, and since then have played for ITI (Bangalore), Mohammedan Sporting and FC Kochin. He was a leading scorer for Mahindras in the last NFL. His 20-minute scorcher in the final against Kerala gave Maharashtra the coveted trophy after an eight-year hiatus.

“A nippy forward who can wreak havoc whenever he meets a high cross in the box,” says the Maharashtra coach, an admirer of Najeeb’s scoring qualities.

It was Najeeb who provided that split-second pass to IM Vijayan, for the latter’s history-making 12th second goal against Bhutan in the SAFF Cup. He was a member of the Indian team for the Asia Cup held Dubai.

DEADLY DUO: Two players of gifted qualities, to have emerged from the tournament, are Kerala’s Asif Saheer and Sylvester Ignatius. The duo have caught the eye with their dribbling skills and the ability to convert even half-chances.

Thachangadan Asif Saheer, who hails from the soccer-crazy town of Mampad, in Malappuram district, rose to the limelight by slamming in four goals against Bihar in the early phase of the last Santosh Trophy held in Coimbatore. He went on to figure among the best scorers of the tournament with eight goals to his credit. The 20-year old returned with a bang in this year’s edition, producing a spectacular hat-trick against Services. “He is really good, and could be Kerala’s star of the future,” says IM Vijayan.

Ignatius, hailing from Vettukad, and a close relative of former international Thomas Sebastian, was among the prolific scorers of last NFL. He struck eight goals for SBT. “A fully fit Ignatius would be one of the most menacing sights in Indian football,” comments Kerala coach MM Jacob.

DOUGHTY DEFENDER: The Bengal team, which made an unceremonious exit in the semi-finals had at least one player who deserved mention. The right wing back with vision, speed and power, Falguni Dutta is one of the best players to have donned the Bengal colours in recent times.

The brace he struck for East Bengal against the eventual champions Mohun Bagan, in the NFL remain etched in the memories of the football lovers. Barely past 20, his glory days are ahead of him, according to the soccer pundits.

A product of Bansberia High School, Falguni made his mark after joining Howrah Union in 1995. He went on to lead Indian team for the Asian under-16 Championship and, later represented the country in the under-19 and under-21 evens too.

Among the other players who have enthralled the audience here with their skills are: RC Prakash and Xavier Vijaya Kumar (Karnataka), Dipankar Roy and James Singh (Bengal), Alvito d’ Cunha (Goa), Hardip Gill and Ouseph (Punjab), Tapan Ghosh (Maharashtra), Bineesh (Kerala) and Preetam Bahadur (Services).