Bhutia eyeing nothing but a victory

Guwahati :

Star striker Bhaichung Bhutia, who missed last year's Federation Cup final which his former club Mohun Bagan won against Dempo, on Saturday said he would want to win the top domestic tournament for East Bengal.

East Bengal and Lajong FC play in the summit clash at the Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

"I will cherish to win this tournament. We have a chance to win tomorrow," he said after team practice session today. Bhutia had word of praise for Lajong players who have made it to the final in their debut outing after beating top sides like Dempo and Churchill Brothers.

"It's good that a team from the North East has been able to make such an impact in the tournament. The governments of the North East should help players who are capable of earning honours in the top level," Bhutia said.

His coach Phillipe de Ridder, who was at the helm of affairs when East Bengal were NFL runners-up in 2005-06, termed their match against Salgaocar in the group stage in Silchar as the turning point.

"We were in a bad shape before the match but the boys responded to the crisis superbly. We won 1-0 and from then on there was no looking back.

"Now having returned to winning ways, we are confident to take the title home (Kolkata) tomorrow. Everybody is doing well and the team spirit is good," said the Belgian.

Asked how East Bengal made it to the final after a string of poor shows ahead of the tournament and not so an impressive performance in the group stage, De Ridder said, "I have no problem if you call it magic. For a magician, it's a simple trick but for the audience, it can be pure marvel. And you must know a magician doesn't reveal his trick."