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MUMBAI, July 16: Former international football player, J Kosalram, 47 died of heart attack early today. He is survived by wife and a son ...

MUMBAI, July 16: Former international football player, J Kosalram, 47 died of heart attack early today. He is survived by wife and a son and a daughter.

Kosalram, who represented India in the Merdeka Tournament at Kuala Lumpur in 1973, had turned out for two Bangalore outfits, CIL and Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd. From Bangalore he moved out to Mohun Bagan before joining Western Railway in 1975.

The short and sturdy Kosalram was known for his speed down the wings and was deadly in the air. Even to his last days, Kosalram played exhibition matches and was one of the coaches of the Bipin Memorial Football Coaching camps that are run through the city during vacations.

Anand Puthran, the current coach of the Union Bank team, was the captain of the Western Railway team when Kosalram made his move from Calcutta to Mumbai. Puthran recalled him as a very good player who could jump great heights to head the ball. 8220;It is a great loss,8221; Puthran said.

8220;We have played so many times against each other as I turnedout for Mohammedan Sporting then,8221; said Puthran. 8220;Though he played as a winger, he could have fitted in any attacking position during a match. He was a superb player,8221; said Puthran.

Ireino Vaz, the coach of the Central Railway team, was also part of the Indian Railway side that played in the Nationals. Vaz said though Kosalram was a short player he could jump great heights to head the ball and score proficiently.

8220;Off the field, Kosalram was a jovial man,8221; recalled Vaz. Bernard Pereira, the former International who played for Orkay, said Kosalram was a gentleman off the field. 8220;He was kind-hearted and very ready to help anyone.

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8220;He was a very entertaining player, revelling when the crowds flocked in. He used to love to play to the galleries. He was famous for his back-volleys because he knew the crowds loved it. He could also outjump taller players and head the ball in,8221; said Bernard.