By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: Does nostalgia have any value?
The Trophy Cabinet at the historic McDowell Mohun Bagan Tent has been yawning for quite long. And though there have been other Championships which have been won, the most sought after League title, the I-League Trophy has never travelled to the Century old lawns.
It was last in 2002 (2001-02) that an unstoppable Bagan last won the (then) National Football League. The situation then was much similar to now — it was won on the last day of the League, courtesy a 1-0 victory over Churchill Brothers in Margao.
Noted Football Journalist Mr. Jaydeep Basu who had covered the match recalls the moment. “It was an intense match. Bagan who were cruising in the League suffered a jolt when they lost against Salgaocar SC in their penultimate match. Leading 3-0 at one stage, Bagan eventually lost 3-4,” he recollects.
“The speculation – ‘Will Bagan falter?’ – kicked-off thereafter. The last match being played in Goa hence became a must-win for Bagan and all of a sudden, it gained further significance. Locals in Goa believed it was Churchill Brothers’ best chance to win on their home soil. All what Churchill needed was a draw.”
“The interest was immense. Apart from it being Churchill vs Bagan, it was also seen as another prestige battle – Goa vs Bengal.”
“I remember Referees from Malaysia were flown in to supervise the match and the Referee had even awarded 5 minutes of added time much to the frustration of the Bagan fans who were leading one-nil at that time.”
Abdul Saliu had headed in Bagan’s winner in the 72nd minute off Basudeb Mondal’s flag-kick.
The win would not have been possible had not former India Captain Debjit Ghosh who had played a stellar role for Bagan in the season, came out with an ‘out of the World’ goal line clearance to deny Yudif Yakubu’s header from equalizing with some minutes left.
Debjit had followed it and at the very moment of the ball entering the net, his back volley on the goal line further frustrated Churchill.
“It was a heart breaking moment for Churchill. They had come so agonizingly close for another time but couldn’t seal it,” Basu added. “The Stadium was packed, noisy and there were a handful of Bagan fans in one of the stands. But they had the last laugh.”
“For the average Mohun Bagan loyalist, it wasn’t of much significance because it was very much expected,” Basu echoes. “During those days Kolkata Teams were supposed to win every match they played. The big match temperament saw them through.”
The history, the nostalgia is sure to give you goose bumps. But the reality, as some Bagan loyalists point out, has changed in recent past. But the fans dream and stay optimistic. Post the win against Churchill Brothers on April 15, 2002, thousands had thronged the Kolkata Airport to welcome the squad. Will history repeat itself? Or will it be all nostalgia?
