AIFF chief hopeful of Bhutia playing

Although India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has declined to lead the team on its current trip to England, the football federation chief is still hopeful that the ace striker will be allowed to play for his country.

A 21-member Indian team, which left Delhi on Friday, is scheduled to play four matches on its 15-day tour. Bhutia was to join the squad in England.

"I sent a fax to his club, Bury Football Club yesterday (Friday), requesting them to let him lead India in the four matches, to be played on July 24, 28, 31 and August 3," All India Football Federation president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said on Saturday.

"Actually, Bhutia is in a dilemma," remarked Dasmunshi. "His club is preparing for the season ahead, and Bhutia apparently does not want to skip training. His club is also playing some practice matches on the same dates as the Indian team. I am told that three of Bury's matches are clashing with India's matches."

This is the second year running when an Indian team is touring England, with the aim of giving exposure the players to quality football and superior opponents.

Bhutia had apparently earlier informed the AIFF that he would definitely represent India on its second exposure trip to England within a year. "Since I have been told by the AIFF bosses, Bhutia must have informed the AIFF bosses about his availability," team coach Sukhwinder Singh had said before leaving for England, refusing to commit on whether Bhutia would play at any cost.

Sources, however, said Bhutia himself was not keen on playing for the Indian team, as his own position in the playing eleven of Bury is unsure. "But he has so far not told the federation anything like that," said a source close to the AIFF.

Dasmunshi acknowledged Bhutia's right to play as a professional. "His career is important," he said, suggesting a balance is needed between the club and the country. "If he has a problem, it could a genuine problem."

The Indian team:
Goalkeepers: Virender Singh, Sangram Mukherjee, Balaji;
Backs: K.C. Dhanesh, Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Mondal, M. Suresh, Daljit Singh, Roberto Fernandes, Surkumar Singh;
Midfielders: Jules Alberto, Hardip Sanga, Khalid Jameel, Dipankar Roy, Rennedy Singh, R.P. Singh;
Forwards: I.M. Vijayan, Alvito D'Cunha, Hardip Gill, Mohammed Najib, and Bijen Singh;
Coach: Sukhwinder Singh; Assistant coach: Brahmanand Shankwalkar; Technical director: Krishnaji Rao; Doctor: Ramesh.

Itinerary: vs. Brentford (July 24), vs. Notingham Forest (July 28), vs. Leyton Orient (July 31) and Walsall (August 3).

Indo-Asian News Service