Born and brought up in Brazil, football was 25-year-old Cristiano da lima Junior’s passion. However, like most footballers in Brazil, Cristiano remained a junior. ‘‘Too much talent to survive,’’ he once said.Nevertheless, when he was introduced to East Bengal (courtesy Douglas Da Silva), Junior grabbed the opportunity and in came a lethal striker, something that even coach Subhash Bhowmik was startled with. With Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia as partner, Junior formed what is without doubt the most potent strike combo Indian football has ever seen.Junior, who played his football with Vasco da Gama, Sampaio Correa and American Natal in Brazil, took the NFL by storm. His hunger for goals was evident when the gangly six-footer knocked in seven goals in his first five matches to create a record. With 14 NFL goals and five AFC Cup strikes, Junior, who adores Ronaldo, simply says: ‘‘A striker’s role is to score. No score, no use.’’Having settled quickly into the red-and-gold ranks, Junior, who initially was used in short second-half bursts by Bhowmik, gradually became a first-teamer and cemented his place. As Bhowmik puts it, ‘‘Junior has it (to score) in him. His attitude is positive and he is a honest hardworking player’’.Junior, unlike many back home, comes from an educated family and enjoys every bit of the game. Says Bhutia, ‘‘The way I combine with him, it seems like I have known him for ages. He’s got speed, agility and a great nose for goals. He knows exactly how alter his pace for the convenience of his fellow striker.’’For the record, the Junior-Bhutia combo has realised 33 goals this season between the NFL and the AFC Cup. ‘‘Score, score and score’’, is Junior’s recipe for success. And like MIke Okoro last season, Ronaldo has been the difference between the top position and no position for the East Bengal brigade.
