Santosh Trophy: Chance for TN to script great chapter

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Great moments spring from great opportunities. Tamil Nadu are two matches away from writing an unforgettable chapter in their football history as they face Manipur in the second semi-final of the 66th Santosh Trophy here on Saturday.

The contest under lights at the Barabati Stadium is expected to be fierce and entertaining as both teams have reached the last four without losing a match in the quarterfinal league.

It has not been an easy ride for Tamil Nadu. In their opening match, they managed to beat Delhi only by the skin of their teeth.

The next fixture against Mizoram brought out their best. Fighting valiantly, they came back from two goals down to script a memorable 4-3 win.

Needing a draw against Railways in their final league game, Tamil Nadu defended with heart for a 0-0 result.

Manipur might just prove to be Tamil Nadu’s toughest opponents yet in the tournament. Tamil Nadu coach Syed Sabir Pasha is experienced enough not to count his chickens before they are hatched. He knows in his heart of hearts that Manipur would make his team sweat by the gallons.

“I have not taken any team lightly and I hold nothing but respect towards all my opponents. Manipur, in particular, are technically superior to us. Physically they are much stronger, too.

But then, we are playing as a unit and that is what matters. We are going to go out there to fire on all cylinders. Manipur know they can’t take us lightly either,” said Sabir.

Tamil Nadu, according to Sabir, will definitely miss the services of experienced players R. Naveen Kumar and V.R. Murugappan.

However, he went on to add that their absence is not going to cost him an arm and a leg. “It’s unfortunate to lose them through suspension.

But the players who came in as replacements have done a brilliant job and I expect them to continue the good show,” added the coach.

Tamil Nadu would go in with a 4-4-2 formation with R. Nirmal Kumar and Karthik playing on the right and left flanks respectively. U. Jayakumar and A. Reagan are the two strikers while M. Ramesh may be used as a second-half substitute.

Centre-back M. Murthy, who hasn’t recovered fully from his knee injury, might be replaced by D. Edison. Midfielder L. Charles Anandraj, who also had an injury scare, is fit to play.

Tamil Nadu defenders would be wary of a certain L. Chathoiba Singh from the Manipur ranks.

The striker has pumped in five of his team’s nine goals so far — he smashed four against Uttar Pradesh in the league. Manipur are so mobile and skilful that it is inevitable that they would be seeing a lot of the ball.

Patience is the operative word for TN. If their back-line remains as strong as it was against Railways, the Manipur forwards would be under pressure.

Tamil Nadu midfielders have been consistent so far and the onus is on Jayakumar, Reagan and Ramesh to deliver.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from these boys. If you compare our team with others such as Railways or Delhi, there is a gulf when it comes to exposure.

Physically, too, we are at a disadvantage. But I am proud that my boys have punched above their weight.

Now, they have the self-belief that they can scale the summit. I can see that in their eyes,” concluded Sabir.

Meanwhile, Manipur coach Surmani Singh, who was Sabir’s teammate in the Indian team, expects a good match. “Tamil Nadu have shown what they are capable of.

But we beat them in the quarterfinal league last year and I don’t see why we can’t repeat that performance,” he added.

Action today

At Cuttack: Semi-final: Tamil Nadu vs Manipur (6.45pm).