Sorrow Trophy for Kerala!

By John Cheeran
After the shootout, comes Bharatha vakyam.
Kerala’s Santosh Trophy team coach Bharathan says his directives were disregarded during the shootout against West Bengal in the semifinal on Sunday. Bharathan says he had told captain Abdul Hakeem to get N P Pradeep to take the first spot kick.
Incidentally, Kerala’s first spot kick was taken by Rajesh, and his shot found the upright without resulting in a goal.
Defeat is an orphan.
It is no surprise then that there is none brave enough to come forward and take responsibility for Kerala’s semifinal loss.
Coach says senior players did not pay attention to his suggestions. He also blamed frontliners for frittering away opportunities. I admit that coach has limitations. Players should control the situations as the game evolves.
All along the campaign, those who were closer to the Kerala camp were saying that defence was Kerala’s weakest link, and attack the most effective. In modern football midfield step up for attack and there was reasons to believe that Kerala had enough firepower to rattle the rivals.
Critics had pointed out that rivals had managed to crack open Kerala’s defence at least once to score in each match they played in the tournament.
But the final proved just the opposite. For 120 minutes Kerala defence kept Bengal’s neat and nifty attackers at bay not conceding a goal.
Defeat itself is disappointing. Disharmony between coach and players add to the wounds inflicted by a senseless shootout.What a painful retreat it is going to be for Kerala’s army from India’s capital.