Remembering India’s Asian Cup 2011 campaign: Spiderman Subrata and Bhaichung’s swansong

On this day two years ago, India ended their Asian Cup 2011 campaign with a 4-1 defeat against eventual third placed winners South Korea. The match marked the end of the glittering international career of Bhaichung Bhutia, while it also saw a highly talented player rise to the occasion and gain international appreciation.

Despite the loss, the scoreline looked respectable for India considering the fact that they were up against a team who were not only one of the tournament favourites but also regulars at the FIFA World Cup. India had one man to thank in particular for avoiding an embarrassment and that man was their goalkeeper Subrata Pal.

India’s number one had an impressive tournament despite conceding 13 goals in 3 matches and this performance against South Korea was undoubtedly his best.

Bob Houghton’s side were well beaten both by Australia and Bahrain, but in the South Korea clash they were simply outclassed as the Koreans created chance after chance. Although some last ditch tackles and blocks did help to keep the score down, it was the super human heroics of Subrata that prevented a cricket score.

The man from Sodepur, West Bengal, made almost twenty saves in that game and in difficult conditions too, as the rain was pouring down at Doha’s Al Gharafa Stadium. There were all kinds of saves as Subrata showed incredible reflexes and bravery to consistently deny South Korea from increasing the margin.

AIFF Player of the Year in 2009, Subrata was rated highly even before the Asian Cup and also had a trial with Canadian MLS (Major League Soccer) outfit Vancouver Whitecaps. The Doha display raised his stock even more back home but there were plaudits from international media also.

Leading South Korean dailies praised Subrata, calling him ‘Spiderman’, ‘real MVP (Most Valuable Player)’ with headlines like ‘Indian team GK, 16 times super-save! Who is this guy?’

However, the custodian wasn’t getting carried away and was quoted saying, “I am not a Spiderman, just a novice learning my goalkeeping. I am happy that I have made those saves and done something for the team and country. This (Asian Cup) was my best tournament along with the Nehru Cup 2007 (which India won). But this (Asian Cup) was the biggest stage in the continent.”

While Doha saw ‘Mistu’, as he is nicknamed, make his mark on the international stage, it also witnessed the farewell of a legend from international football.

Bhaichung was adjudged the ‘Most Valuable Player’ when India won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 to qualify for Qatar 2011. He was already 31 back then and struggling with niggling injuries. So at 34, it was even more difficult for the Indian football icon to stay away from injuries.

The Sikkimese Sniper hardly saw any action going into the Asian Cup, yet his presence in the dressing room was immense and thus Bob Houghton included him in the final squad. Unfortunately, he couldn’t play any part in the first two games against Australia and Bahrain.

Bhaichung’s career deserved an appearance in Asia’s biggest tournament and it finally arrived in this game against South Korea as he replaced Abhishek Yadav in the 78th minute which brought the biggest cheer of the evening.

After the end of the tournament, Bhaichung had stated his intention of being at the next Asian Cup.

“I’m happy to have been able to play at the Asian Cup. This has been the biggest tournament I have ever played in. Hopefully, I will be there at the next Asian Cup as well,” he had said.

Unfortunately, more injury troubles saw Bhaichung officially retire in August 2011 with the cameo against South Korea turning out to be his last competitive appearance in international football. It was a fitting end to a successful career as it came on the biggest stage possible (as India have never been close to playing in the World Cup since 1950).