I.M. Vijayan: Kerala are peaking at the right time

When on the field Kerala striker Shibin Lal broke into an uninhibited jig with his teammates after scoring the winner against Maharashtra in the first semifinal of the 67th Santosh Trophy on Thursday, off the pitch I.M. Vijayan – arguably the Greatest footballer of his generation and an icon in Kerala – jumped out of his seat in joy, rejoicing in a manner we have so often seen him celebrate after scoring a goal! The 'Black Pearl' of Indian football was accompanied by his wife Raji Vijayan.

"I am very passionate about football in Kerala and with the team playing so well throughout the match, I was so engrossed in watching the match that I did not speak to her (my wife) for a while," Vijayan confessed, grinning.

"I last spoke to her before the match I believe. At half-time I was busy with some other commitments. After the winner by Shibin I hugged her in joy and was ecstatic. She is well versed with my fervour for the game," added the Arjuna Award winner, tongue in cheek.

Kerala play defending champions Services in the final today. Asked to predict, Vijayan said, "I cannot do that. It will be a very tough battle as both the sides as evenly matched. It will be a matter of who blinks first. Services are the defending champions and this time also they have a balanced side. Kerala of course will have the home support coupled with good team with some promising players. It will be great contest."

Coming to the semifinal, Vijayan felt that the hosts blossomed against top sides and this can be their advantage going into the summit clash. "The quarterfinal league matches were not challenging enough. This one against an in-form Maharashtra was our real test and the boys showed character to come out on top. The likes of Usman and the entire midfield played really well," he maintained.

"Shibin's winner was superb and sweetly timed. We played well in crucial junctures like the last 10 minutes of regulation time and extra time. The backline needs to be credited as well. Kerala are peaking at the right time."

The 15,000 odd spectators played their role too according to Vijayan. "The Kerala crowd is known for its vociferous support. It was no different here Thursday. Still I am expecting a packed stadium on Sunday. During our times we used to have full houses and the feeling was amazing. It gave you goose bumps," he went on.

"It takes a lot to perform in front of big crowds as the pressure to satisfy them is immense. The boys soaked up the pressure really well and the crowd as usual played its part in cheering the team to glory. Every move, every shot drew huge applause," concluded the legend.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

I.M. Vijayan: I can't believe Santosh Trophy is back in Kerala!

Hot on the heels of the international friendly between India and Palestine on February 6, football has returned to 'God's Own Country' again. This time, for a longer period, and in the form of the prestigious 67th edition of the Santosh Trophy.

The Qualifying Round of the National Championships did kick-off in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi along with Kerala's Kollam and Kochi, but come February 22, the quarterfinal round would be held only in Kerala, an event which everyone in the State has been waiting for long - even I.M. Vijayan and Joe Paul Anchery!

Hear it from them, and you will feel the pulse.

"Back in 1999-2000 (Santosh Trophy) in Thrissur, I remember we played Maharashtra and I was then the captain (of Kerala). We played in front of a packed stadium and the feeling was surreal," Ancheri recollects with AIFF Media.

"Playing in front of a full house stays the dream for any player. When I lead the team out of the tunnel, I felt princely," his grin stays evident even over the phone.

"We lost the match 0-1, (Mohammed) Najeeb-bhai scoring the match-winner. But irrespective of the result, the crowd cheered the winners and even the brand of football which Maharashtra played on the day. That's Kerala. They will support you but also appreciate if the visitors play well," he adds.

The last time Kerala hosted the Santosh Trophy was at Kochi in 2005.

I.M. Vijayan, arguably the greatest footballer of his generation echoed Ancheri's feelings. "I need to pinch myself. The Santosh Trophy is back in Kerala!" he opines. "Kerala has a lot to offer to Indian football," he adds.

"I remember Ancheri was the captain in 2000 edition, and we played in front of a full house. It was a great feeling. Then in 2005 (in Kochi), it happened to be my last Santosh Trophy. The response was excellent and the interest level is amazing."

"It's like the Kolkata Derby when Kerala play here. You'll witness it for yourself if they reach the final. I keep my fingers crossed," he smiled.

The Black Pearl of Indian football went on, "Previously National Team players used to play in the Santosh Trophy. Nowadays the Tournament plays the perfect platform for youngsters as the I-League players don't play. It's the perfect grooming ground," the only footballer to have won the AIFF Player-of-the-Year Award thrice, pronounced.

Ancheri who had won the AIFF Player-of-the-Year twice, in 1994 and 2001 adds, "The state has been starving for top-quality football. You saw the response when India played Palestine. People will come out in numbers for the Santosh Trophy. It is a boon for us."

Defending champions' Services Coach Sajith Kumar, also a Keralite, concluded on a perfect note. "The glamour of the Santosh Trophy is still the same in this part of the country as it was in the 80's. It means a lot to the locals that Santosh Trophy is taking place here."

(Report & Photo courtesy of AIFF Media)

I.M. Vijayan leaves Southern Samity

Former star footballer I.M. Vijayan ended his first coaching stint by resigning yesterday as coach of Calcutta Premier Division side Southern Samity only a little over a month after taking up the assignment with the big league newcomers. What has been surprising is the fact that from day one Vijayan has been under sustained pressure to get positive results from his team for the club.

And very unusual for a small side from Kolkata, who just this season are making their debut in the Premier Division, is the fact that they have a good fan following plus a financially strong backer who has enabled the club to bring in big Maidan club rejects like Brazilians Marcos Pereira and Edmilson besides signing numerous Indian players from I-League Division 1 and 2 sides.

The club has aims to get into the I-League Division 2 this season and also signed Vijayan more for his big name then his coaching experience. Actually Southern Samity was the first coaching assignment for the former India captain and it sadly ended prematurely. Vijayan did cause some upsets, but the clubs results were rather mixed with three wins, one draw and four losses for their ambitions. And that just wasn't enough and over the last few matches Vijayan's job had been on the line, while fans had hit out at the former Maidan star and his players. It all ended after a 0-2 loss against Calcutta Port Trust on Monday as Vijayan himself retired before the club officials could fire him.

And what has Vijayan learned from this experience? Surely he has learned that in Kolkata you are not only under pressure to coach the big sides Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting plus a big name doesn't save one from pressure by club managements. After his first short coaching experience Vijayan is set to return to his home state Kerala and he would be on the lookout for a new coaching assignment. And Vijubhai has said that he isn't scared to return to Kolkata to try his luck again with another club.

Hopefully Southern Samity will give their new coach a little bit more time with the team to get the best out of the players. Only then will the club be successful and achieve their goals.

I.M. Vijayan: The start of a new career

A legend returns. Invalappil Mani Vijayan, better known as I.M. Vijayan, is back in the Mecca of Indian football - Kolkata. But this time not as a football player, but as the coach of promoted Calcutta Premier Division outfit Southern Samity. Yesterday was his first training day with his new team at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium and it was of interest though the former India captain has chosen to start his coaching career with a smaller side.

Vijayan told the media present that he was happy to be back in Kolkata and hoped to prove his worth as a coach. Vijayan has been given a one year contract by Southern Samiti and hopes to be competitive with his team in the tough Calcutta Premier League.

The "black pearl" of Indian football as Vijayan was dubbed in Kolkata during his playing days for Mohun Bagan AC and East Bengal Club returns to the "City of Joy" to start his second career in football. The now 41 year old aims to learn the coaching trade and train his team with his years of playing experience. And if Vijayan has one thing, then it is match experience plus technical class and abilities. In fact Vijayan has been one of the best footballers ever to have played for India. And I still remember a journalist from Sky Sports telling me in summer 2001 that if Vijayan had been born in Brazil or Argentina, then he could have been a world star after watching him train and play. The journalist had told me, Vijayan would have been scouted at a young age, brought to some club in Europe and would have been developed further as a footballer. Maybe Vijayan can teach his wards the basics that they achieve what he couldn't.

I.M. Vijayan recently passed the AFC's 'B' Licence Coaching Course in Hosur, Tamil Nadu conducted by the AIFF's Director of Coaching Gabriel E. Joseph for coaches holding the 'C' Coaching Licence. Vijayan aims to next obtain the 'A' Coaching Licence and in future would love to be attached to the Indian national team in "any" capacity as he said.

All the best to you Vijubhai!