Vaz helps Central flower with budding talent

Whether or not Vaz’s side puts it across Goa giants Salgaocar on Thursday, Central Railway have proved that big bucks and big names do not necessarily a champion make.

Vaz observed: “We attempt to mould players into the framework of a team. With relatively scarce resources we can’t afford top players that other sides in the country do. For that purpose it’s important that we scout talent and develop skills among our finds in the wider interest of the team.”

The former youth international and Santosh Trophy goalkeeper is well known for unearthing talent in remote areas, then developing it into a utilityproduct.

Effervescent teenage mid-fielder Lanachuba Inchen is an example. “I spotted him at Miraj, of all places,” Vaz enlightens. “I couldn’t help but spot his tenacity and his mobility on the pitch. He now shows an appreciation for the finer points of the game,” Vaz elaborates.

Other players to be scouted and developed into highly competitive players in the local Super Division league have been mid-fielder Amir Lotlikar, left-wingback Sadanand Kakodkar (both Goa) and central defender Prakash Fernandes. The last two names have gone on to taste action at the National Championship.

Along with home bred stars — Asif Jamal, the Ansaris — Arif, Arshad and Hameed and Augusto D’Silva — Central Railway have held their own in the Rovers, varying tactics according to the opposition.

As a former goalkeeper, Vaz must be pleased with Raghuveer Khanolkar’s display under the bar in the Rovers Cup, especially against the Iranians against whom Central drew goalless.

More so because Khanolkar displayed Vaz’sforte of anticipation that made for two seemingly impossible saves against the Middle Eastern outfit.

Other players ushered into big time have been India international Thomas Fernandes, Air-India defender Radhakrishna Dube and current Mohun Bagan stopper Jeevan Moras.

Vaz, who has been involved with the coaching effort of the Indian Railways side to the last three Santosh Trophy tournaments, has to make do with players less than 23 years of age for recruitment as per the organisation’s stipulation.

“That works out to be an advantage, considering that we can mould junior players the way we want to,” he explains.

Vaz’s playing career spanned more than two decades and a coaching stint going back to 1991 making it more than a generation of involvement with Central Railway.

Vaz’s tutelage has taken the team to second in the Super Division two seasons ago. Currently third, his great aim is to make the first division of the National Football League.

Guiding Mumbai University’s team to two West Zonetitles in the last three seasons, gives Vaz insight into local talent.

Vaz notes the sweeping change in attitudes and practises when it comes to both playing and coaching and he recalls his hey day and wryly smiles when recollecting training routines.

“In my days, coaches we began training with four or five rounds of running until we began our drills. Now, I put the boys through drills with the ball from the start of the session till the end. After all, it’s the ball that is the focus of attention when we are on the pitch.”

And it’s the ball that is a prized item on European pitches, Vaz notes. “I think they are streets ahead of us because they fight for the ball with all fury and passion. They don’t give it away easily and I think Indian players must train themselves to do so as well,” Vaz reasons.

Slim and wiry, Vaz walks to the bench with his team, ramrod straight and purposefully, exhibiting admirable fitness for his 52 years. If his tryst with Central Railway and football has lasted ageneration, he gives every impression it could well last another.

Like local rivals Air-India and peer Bimal Ghosh, Vaz champions the swadeshi movement in Indian soccer of which keynotes are resourcefullness and resilience.