Ahead of crucial game,Bhutias 100th appearance takes centrestage

It was a dream debut for a 19-year-old who announced his arrival on the big stage by scoring the lone goal against Uzbekistan...

It was a dream debut for a 19-year-old who announced his arrival on the big stage by scoring the lone goal against Uzbekistan to send India into the 1995 Nehru Cup semi-final.

Fifteen years later,the boy from Tinkitam,a remote Sikkim village,has grown into the countrys most successful striker. And on Sunday,when the hosts take on Kyrgyzstan,Bhaichung Bhutia will also become first Indian footballer to make 100 international appearances.

Its a great feeling to do something exclusive. The best part is,nobody thinks about these milestones,you just happen to cross them. I didnt know until somebody told me that its my 100th match and Ill be the first Indian to play as many. I remember sitting out for the only time when I was fit in these fifteen years. That was my first match against Thailand in the Nehru Cup 95 but I was sitting on the bench. I played the next and scored. Ill never forget that, recalled Bhutia,whos now into his tenth year as captain.

Thats about enough of the past for him. He soon turned his attention to Sundays match.

Tomorrows match is important, but not because its my 100th. Ill be happier if we win it and that will be in the best interest of the team. We cant get distracted, he said.

Evidently,after the opening match loss to Lebanon,there were no lapses in teams practice on Saturday. From warming up to cooling down,every move was under coach Bob Houghtons observation. Houghton made himself the target of Steven Diass awry crosses to get them right and the odd ball went past goalkeeper Subhashish Roychowdhury,but there were no visible concerns.

Meanwhile,many in the team werent aware of the feat and after some information from the media,the greetings came pouring in. Houghton measured Bhutias contribution to a Diamond,calling him a phenomenon. I have coached many countries who have qualified for the World Cup and I think hes there with the very best. But I have never come across an individual like him. Hes a big player and but he doesnt show that, Houghton said.

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Midfielder Renedy Singh,whose association with Bhutia dates back to the school days,said: I dont see any change from the time we used to play in the Subroto Cup. His achievement is fitting and I think his down-to-earth attitude has gone a long way in building this team. Most of the new players have grown up watching him. They wouldnt have been this confident had he not been so close to them. Hes the most inspirational leader of our time.

On Sunday,the leader will have his favourite partner upfront against the Kyrgyz with Sunil Chhetri set to figure in the first XI after a big gap. Sushil Singh,however,will miss out with a twisted ankle and that will deplete Indias resources in case Bhutia or Chhetri fail to play full 90 minutes. Defender Anwar Ali is expected to start while Deepak Mondal will replace Surkumar Singh whos nursing a pulled hamstring.

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