Santosh Trophy : John Paul flourishes in midfield role

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Sabir took a gamble in selecting John and making him Tamil Nadu’s creative fulcrum. Having seen him play for Indian Bank the previous season, the coach knew what the player was capable of.

The last time Tamil Nadu made it to the Santosh Trophy final was in 1972 — also the year in which current state coach Syed Sabir Pasha was born.

Though Sabir wasn’t able to tick the Santosh Trophy box as a player, the former international has done exceedingly well to guide his young team to the summit clash at the ongoing national football tournament in Odisha. Sabir is just a match away from filling that column, too, in his CV.

As a coach, Sabir’s standout quality has been the ability to read the match situation astutely and make quick decisions.

For example, withdrawing his main striker M. Ramesh for U. Jayakumar in the second-half of their first match against Delhi was an instinctive decision.

The move paid dividends as Jayakumar and the other forward, A. Reagan, gelled well up front. After that, Ramesh hasn’t started a single game.

Sabir has preferred to use him as a second-half substitute. Ramesh, running in as a replacement, looks hungrier than ever.

Ramesh’s nippy movements when the opposition defence is tired have worked well for Tamil Nadu.

While most coaches would have dismissed the idea of leaving a senior player such as Ramesh on the bench, Sabir didn’t. He knows how to the run the show and more importantly, run it well.

In modern football, players are expected to be versatile. It is easier said than done because a central defender’s skill sets are totally different from a forward’s. Besides, many struggle to adapt to a new position.

One of the main jobs of a coach is identifying the suitability of a player for a particular position. Ask Tamil Nadu midfielder John Paul.

The experienced player turned out exclusively as a defender for FCI in the Chennai Football Association senior division league this season. His form was far from impressive.

But Sabir took a gamble in selecting John and making him Tamil Nadu’s creative fulcrum. Having seen him play for Indian Bank the previous season, the coach knew what the player was capable of.

John has justified Sabir’s decision with a string of fine performances. The midfielder has made his new position his own.

From a forgettable season for FCI as defender to Tamil Nadu’s key midfielder in the Santosh Trophy, the transformation is as quick as it is productive.

John toyed with Manipur in the semifinal. With silky touches and measured passes, the Kanyakumari-born player ran rings around his hapless opponents. A job of identifying and nurturing talent has been done well.

The coach staying unruffled, even during crises, has also worked in Tamil Nadu’s favour. Sabir never lost his cool with his charges even under trying circumstances.

The entire team hold Sabir in high esteem and the respect is mutual. “These players are the best footballers in Tamil Nadu and now they have proved that they are among the best in the country. I am proud of this team,” said Sabir.

After the semi-final win, Sabir did not go over the top and headed straight into the opponent’s dugout to shake hands with the Manipur coach who was his contemporary in playing days.

Later, the Tamil Nadu players chanted his name in unison. The coach can expect to be tossed high in the air if Tamil Nadu beat Services on Monday.

Sabir, one of the best players to emerge from Tamil Nadu, is on the right path to become one of the best coaches in the country.

Sabir didn’t fail to mention the guidance he received from Colm Toal, head coach of Indian football youth development wing.

“Colm has nurtured me well. I went to him as raw hand and he has fine-tuned me. Now, I am more matured as a coach and I’m confident in my abilities,” added Sabir who has worked as Colm’s understudy at junior national camps.

Sabir’s mentor was a happy man after he came to know Tamil Nadu’s progress to the final. “He wants us to cross the final hurdle,” said Sabir.