Coach bets on his 'striking' instinct

Kochi: Soon after United Sports Club upset Pune FC 1-0, an excited Eelco Schattorie grabbed his mobile and sent a text message over to his boss in Kolkata. Apparently, the coach had a bet with United owner that Baldeep would score from the striker’s position.

“Baldeep is a midfielder and I always wanted to play him as my striker. My boss never agreed and I was in search of an opportunity to prove him wrong. Today was the day. I won my bet and am going to get my treat,” said Eelco.

The Dutchman says it is important to give some competition to your main striker who is goal strapped and believes Baldeep is the right person to make their celebrated hitman Ranti fight for his position. “Ranti is my best striker, but he is out of form. Sometimes you have to make your best man angry by subbing him out or leaving him on the bench. That should fire him up,” he says.

“Unfortunately Ranti got injured, but that gave me the opportunity to play Baldeep. He is not a great player, but makes crucial runs and had he not reacted in time to that cross, we might not have scored,” the coach said.

Meanwhile, Eelco is unsure of the severity of the Nigerian’s injury. “He sprained his back and it does not look good. Some of these injuries can heal in two days or sometimes it could take over a week,” he said.