I have failed Bagan this season: Bhutia

Kolkata:

Nimble-footed Baichung Bhutia today admitted that he failed to serve his club Mohan Bagan well this season due to injury and national commitments. "The injury made me a worried man. The process of recovery took some time. I'm now trying to reach my best," Bhutia said. The star striker, who returned to on-field action in February after a two-month hiatus due to calf muscle injury, has still not been able to reach his peak in the National League, now in its last leg. Bhutia, the first Indian player to turn out in the English professional league, said, "I could not contribute to the club as much I would have liked because of the injury." He said his engagements with the national squad, which won the LG Cup and missed a last eight berth in the Busan Asian Games by a whisker, had also kept him away from Bagan. He felt that Bagan, which had a highly forgettable year, needed to put up a spectacular show in the remaining two NFL matches. "These games are very crucial. Myself and all other players have to give their best for the club," he said. Bhutia refused to comment on the sacking of Bagan coach Subrata Bhattacharya and said he would start thinking about his club for the next season once the NFL ended. (PTI)