India's chief football coach Syed Nayeemuddin on Wednesday attempted to put the record straight even as the media went to town about his patch-up with former national captain Baichung Bhutia.
Talking to rediff.com in Thiruvananthapuram, Nayeemuddin said, "The fallout with Bhutia at the 1998 Asian Games was only because I tried to intimidate him into lifting the level of his game because I knew his potential. I used to compare him to Roberto Baggio and tell him he had the talent to rise.
"During that period I kept praising I M Vijayan a lot in the hope of triggering off that competitive edge in him. Sadly, it was construed as overload and that's when the misunderstanding took root."
Nayeemuddin's defence emerged following the revival of the seven-year-old spat by the Kolkata media, which published an article quoting Nayeemuddin's decision to overlook the ace striker for the forthcoming SAFF Cup.
"I spoke to Bhutia and told him that I was not sure about his fitness after reading reports that East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick kept him out of the Federation Cup team only because he felt he was unfit and had not attended the Shantineketan camp.
"Obviously, as coach, I said Bhutia could be called to camp only if he was fit, which any coach in his right mind would say.
"But when I told Bhutia what I had said, he told me, 'Sir, yeh paperwallah kuch be likhte hai. Un log tumhare shabdo ko gumah ke story banate hai (these reporters write anything; they turn your words and make a story).'
"I spoke to the West Bengal coach for the Santosh Trophy, Aloke Mukherjee, and asked him about Bhutia. He assured me that Bhutia is fit, and hence I told him I would like to see him at the camp, which will start from November 22.
"Misunderstandings are but natural. We are all human beings and say things in a fit of anger. But we come out of our mistakes stronger and wiser," said Nayeemuddin, brushing off the issue as he spoke of his job of putting together a winning team for the SAFF Cup, starting in Karachi on December 7.
India play their first match on December 8.
Nayeemuddin also hinted at Vijayan making a comeback, though he is still looking a stand-out performance from the gangling striker to justify his comeback.
Asked about Nayeemuddin's designs on his role ahead in the Indian team, Bhutia, who is in Kolkata training with the East Bengal team, reacted in cool fashion.
"Nayeemuddin knows his problem and needs to whip up a strong team. I am always happy to serve the country and I am fit, as I have been playing in Malaysia," he said.
He was quick to add that the media unnecessarily digs up issues that are long buried.
"They should play a more important role in forging a strong nation and helping the coach and players in bonding. Instead, they are doing the opposite," he pointed out.
Talking about the Asian Games, Bhutia said the AIFF should think quick on building a strong under-23 team.
"We had a great class of players in the 1998 Asian Games. Nayeemuddin has lots on his hands to hone the future of Indian football into a winning team. The Beijing Asian Games is going to be extremely tough. The AIFF should give it a serious thought and have a more comprehensive long-term programme in place soon if Indian football is to prosper."
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