Tucked away in the leafy and tree-lined Cooperage Road, Mohun Bagan (Asia’s oldest football club) and Air India got set to battle it out on the soccer field even as a smattering of local soccer die-hards who knew their Mahindra United from their Manchester United cheered and jeered the combatants on. Okay, it wasn’t quite Wembley Arena, but the creaking floorboards in the bleachers didn't prevent the spectators from feeling the heat (literally!) when the impassive Bhaichung Bhutia strode onto the green for Bagan. Ninety minutes later and under a partly cloudy sky, the referee blew the whistle on an inconclusive 0-0 game. Bhutia strode off the field and flopped down on a tattered sofa in the locker room, his face tired, but a picture of studied introspection. He surmised that what the game needed was more talent. “We’ve got to get more talent scouts out there to find players at grassroots levels. And once that is done, the players should tour. Nothing makes a raw player more seasoned than touring,” said Bhutia, the most photogenic ambassador for Indian football and captain of the national side. But surely with the cricketing gurus now striving to find a new identity it must augur a chance for football to kick off? He’s realistic about the fact that abroad, people don’t think we even play football! “There have been so many times when I’ve been playing a match abroad, and some people have been surprised that we even play the game,” he admitted. Moving on from football to matters off-the-field, what would one find Bhutia doing most when he’s not dribbling a ball? “When I’m not playing, I just love watching movies. I don’t restrict myself to any one genre. I watch them all — Hollywood as well as Bollywood. I have a good collection of DVDs. Sundays evenings are movie-time for me!” And does the part-time couch potato habit go down well with his passion — his wife Madhuri, who is an army officer’s daughter? “She doesn’t really mind,” said Bhutia, as he managed a smile. Considering his wife (his “ideal, complete woman”) is a Mumbai girl, hasn’t he ever flitted with the idea of settling in this city? “Well I’m too connected with where I’m currently staying. There was a time when I seriously considered it, when my wife was involved in her hotel business. She gave that up some time ago,” replied Bhutia. When he’s not popping in DVDs, you’ll mostly find Bhutia getting a guffaw out of comedies, as he loves the Brit variety. Although not much of a foodie, he’s got a soft spot for momos, which is only natural, since they’re to Sikkim what the vada pav is to Mumbai! But the way to this man’s heart is truly via the soccer field. His favourite sportsman is Diego Armando Maradona and, no, he doesn’t really watch cricket when it comes to other sports. He’s more of an “F1 and tennis” kinda guy. And this romantic’s dream date? “A Champions League final with Arsenal in it.” Are the ladies listening? (Reagan Gavin Rasquinha)
