Kerala, Railways favourites in semis

S Ayyappa Swamy

Only the foolhardy would look beyond Kerala entering the final, nay winning the 57th National football championship, for the Santosh Trophy, for the fourth time. Tamil Nadu look easy meat for them in the semi-finals, to be played on Thursday afternoon.

The other semifinal pits Indian Railways against Goa. In recent years Railways have not done exceptionally well though the side has been a nursery for Indian football in the fifties and sixties. Railways last entered the final round of the championship in 1966-67, when they defeated Services for the title. Against Goa, they hold the upperhand simply because they know the conditions and the ground pretty well, as most of their players are drawn from Central Railway, who play in the Bombay Harwood League.

Though Kerala are playing extremely well at the moment, Dame Luck has been very kind to Tamil Nadu. First, they entered the quarter-final stage on a toss-up, pipping Gujarat, who had tied with them on goals and aggregate. Then, they showed some pluck while staving off a Karnataka fightback for a 2-2 draw, and downed 29-time champions Bengal in the final quarter-final league tie.

Kerala are brimming with talent, and striker Asif Saheer, though lacking in height, has impressed one and all with his exceptional efforts. He has already scored four goals in two matches and the crowd is thirsting for more from this player. Kerala are the only side in the event playing with three forwards, and both S Ignatious and Abdul Hakim too have been in reasonably good form. Suresh Babu holds the midfield and he is the only playmaker who has looked good in this tournament. Defender Vinu Jose, who is all of 20, has impressed even India coach Sukhwinder Singh and is likely to get a call-up to the national camp.

Against this, Tamil Nadu have just one big name in Syed Sabir Pasha. Yet, the others have all rallied around this half-fit player. Pasha, one of the finest wingers India has produced in recent years, has a bone growth on his left-knee, his favoured leg. His team is looking up to him to deliver again, just like how he sent some defence-splitting passes against Bengal.

Tamil Nadu will be bolstered by the return of midfielders K Kulothongan and Antony, who have a strong presence in the side. Coach R Shanmugham has the difficult choice of omitting E Sureshkumar, who scored a brilliant goal against Karnatka and has shown a positive attitude.

It is experience versus youth in the other semi-final. The Railway players have a few years behind them while the Goan side, under coach Armando Colaco, is full of exuberant youngsters, with captain Mahesh Gawali and midfielder Noel Wilson their international players. Nobody would be writing off the Goan side, it simply cannot be done for the one who plays better on a particular day wins.

Goa appeared pedestrian against Punjab in their final quarter-final league tie on Monday. However, strategically, they came out stronger. They wore down the sturdy Punjab players in the afternoon sun and then went for the kill in the second half when the sun was on the wane.

Colaco brought in the experienced Mario Soares in midfield against Punjab. But this former international, along with Jatin Bisht, is likely to miss the semi-final due to injury.

Railways' strength is their wonderful and creative midfield, manned by the young Kasif Jamal, and strong defence, with India goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee under the bar. The Railway strikers have been guilty of missing some sitters and they are unlikely to get a second chance against Goa.

Thursday's semi-finals

2.15 p.m:
Kerala vs. Tamil Nadu

4.15 p.m:
Goa vs. Railways.