Fed Cup star Mondal still haunted by Bagan nightmare

“Our goalkeeping coach Atanu Bhattacharya asked me repeatedly to watch the ball till the last moment,and that’s exactly what I did,” Mondal said on Monday,after returning from Guwahati with the trophy. “Also,former international Bhaskar Ganguly had called me after that match on October 25 and helped instill a lot of confidence. He told me to start believing in myself. He said if I had a poor day at that time,I would also be instrumental one day in helping my team clinch a major victory and a title,” he said.

Final heroics

After his brilliant performance in Guwahati — East Bengal did not concede a single goal throughout the tournament — Mondal may be keen on continuing his form in the second half of the I-League,but he remains guarded when asked about his future plans. “Before we resume our I-League campaign,I have to keep in mind their (Ganguly and Bhattacharya) advice to ensure I continue performing well. Otherwise I may again have to face failure,” he said.

Another senior player making a successful comeback has been Alvito D Cunha,and he too sounded cautious. “The win has brought back the togetherness spirit in the team which was lacking earlier. Our present coach has a way of interacting with the players that makes everyone believe they are the best on field; that’s what happened during the Fed Cup and it worked wonders for the team,” D Cunha said.

“We have to follow the coach’s suggestion to focus on one match at a time,and I am sure we can win the League also,” he added. On his part,East Bengal coach Phillip de Ridder said: “It has been highly inspirational for the boys. We must keep up the spirit for the League now,” he said. East Bengal resume their League campaign against United FC on January 7.