Kolkata, September 22 Subrata’s changed style gets players’ support
Chirag United have got a boost ahead of their I-League campaign. On Monday morning, Ghanaian defender Patrick Villas joined their squad and impressed one and all during his half hour training. This was despite the fact that he reached here from Ghana only last night.
The player has an impressive CV. He represented his country in the Athens Olympics. Also, played in the Under-20 World Cup in 2001.
United’s Brazilian physical trainer Diego Garcia was all praise for the newcomer. “The players — Solomon Opoku is the other one — barely had any rest after a long flight.
“Naturally, they had a light training this morning. They will take a little time to settle down. Still, Villas was very impressive. He has got a very good technique,” he told The Indian Express.
Another overseas player, Kelvin from Cameroon has also arrived for trial. The team already has two foreigners in Muritala Ali and Lewis who played in the Calcutta Football League (CFL). The team management will have to decide in next 48 hours who will be their overseas trio in the I-League. Villas, however, appears a certainty. United will start their I-League campaign against East Bengal on September 26.
Meanwhile, coach Subrata Bhattacharya seems to be in sync with his players. There is a definite change in his approach that has the players’ support. Maybe, a couple of inauspicious seasons with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have prompted Bhattacharya to change his style.
Earlier, Bhattacharya used to be predictable with attacks from the flanks and a mix of a long ball game in between. Now he is keen on playing more ground passes a la modern way.
Said a few senior team members: “We are playing about 30-35 passes to build an attack from our defensive-third.
“Also, Bhattacharya is giving stress on playing more incisive passes in the penetrative zone and cracking the opposition defence in two to three touches. It makes the game exciting. Crowd will love it.”
Chirag United have got a boost ahead of their I-League campaign. On Monday morning, Ghanaian defender Patrick Villas joined their squad and impressed one and all during his half hour training. This was despite the fact that he reached here from Ghana only last night.
The player has an impressive CV. He represented his country in the Athens Olympics. Also, played in the Under-20 World Cup in 2001.
United’s Brazilian physical trainer Diego Garcia was all praise for the newcomer. “The players — Solomon Opoku is the other one — barely had any rest after a long flight.
“Naturally, they had a light training this morning. They will take a little time to settle down. Still, Villas was very impressive. He has got a very good technique,” he told The Indian Express.
Another overseas player, Kelvin from Cameroon has also arrived for trial. The team already has two foreigners in Muritala Ali and Lewis who played in the Calcutta Football League (CFL). The team management will have to decide in next 48 hours who will be their overseas trio in the I-League. Villas, however, appears a certainty. United will start their I-League campaign against East Bengal on September 26.
Meanwhile, coach Subrata Bhattacharya seems to be in sync with his players. There is a definite change in his approach that has the players’ support. Maybe, a couple of inauspicious seasons with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have prompted Bhattacharya to change his style.
Earlier, Bhattacharya used to be predictable with attacks from the flanks and a mix of a long ball game in between. Now he is keen on playing more ground passes a la modern way.
Said a few senior team members: “We are playing about 30-35 passes to build an attack from our defensive-third.
“Also, Bhattacharya is giving stress on playing more incisive passes in the penetrative zone and cracking the opposition defence in two to three touches. It makes the game exciting. Crowd will love it.”
