If Customs had thought that reaching the final of the Indian Football Fever tournament was a formality, they were badly mistaken. An injury-ravaged ICF put out Customs on penalties in the semifinal on Saturday. The match wasn’t a classic by any stretch of imagination as both teams looked jaded after playing three matches each in six days in the league but it was intriguing nevertheless. Customs have fallen to their first defeat at the Nehru Stadium in a long time. ICF have exacted revenge on Customs for their loss in the league last season.
Full credit must be given to ICF. Even though they couldn’t inflict a defeat in open play, coach P. Thulasi would be delighted by his team’s willingness to fight from start to finish. Winger Suresh Kumar wasn’t on the starting line-up as he was nursing an injury. Defensive rock Amirtharaja wasn’t even on the team sheet as he was serving long suspension for disciplinary reasons. Thulasi was so short of options at the back that he had to use striker Dhadeus as a central defender. Dhadeus, along with regular centre-back Srinivasan, was outstanding at the heart of defence. He never looked like he was in charge of a new department. Customs came alive towards the end but there wasn’t enough time on the clock to score a winner.
ICF’s new forward Reagan should have scored in open play. At least, his hard work merited one. He carried the attacking responsibilities of his team with aplomb. Having played for MSU, Annai Youth and Arrows in the senior division league, the forward isn’t short on experience. Reagan needs to sharpen his shooting skills to become a complete package.
Thulasi would do well to groom a genuine winger on the left. He continues to use Auxiano in that position, even though the stocky player has never been comfortable along the touchline. Auxiano has the skills to be influential in the middle. He lacks the pace to impose himself on the wings. He also has superb shots in both feet. As a winger, Auxiano doesn’t get many chances to have a go at the goal.
One should fancy the experienced ICF in the final against Tamil Nadu XI. Had the final been held on Sunday as scheduled, the youthful Tamil Nadu team might have had a chance. But incessant rains have postponed the final, thus giving adequate time for ICF to recover physically.