Meet Tamilnadu's midfield duo

Chennai: If you want to find out where L. Charles Anandaraj is on the football field, turn your attention to the ball. The midfielder will certainly be in the vicinity. Dynamism is the defining quality of Charles, an important member of the Tamil Nadu Santosh Trophy team. He is also not short on commitment.

Charles, who is an employee of Railways, has cemented his place in the state team in no time. He is all set to play his third Santosh Trophy when the south zone qualifiers get underway at the Nehru Stadium on Sunday. Tamil Nadu should make full use of the lanky midfielder because he may get a call-up from Indian Railways next year.

“My coaches also tell me that I unnecessarily follow the ball,” Charles said, laughing. The essence of the sport may lie in following the ball, but his penchant to remain close to it means he is out of position most of the time. Charles is so full of energy that remaining in his position is nearly an impossible task.

The midfielder, whose tireless work can be an asset to all the teams he is part of, is learning to add purpose to his movement on the pitch. Charles admitted that he has a long way to go to become a complete footballer. “For instance, I haven’t been able to use my height productively to head a corner or a cross. Heading the ball outside the box comes easily to me but doing it from goal-scoring positions is a problem. I’m one of the tallest members of the team, so I must do better,” he said.

Charles has to learn a lesson or two from the Tamil Nadu coach C.M. Ranjith whose goal-scoring instincts during his playing days in the 80s is still talked about in Chennai football. Ranjith’s playing style was totally in contrast to his pupil’s. The current Tamil Nadu coach was known to move when he only sensed an opportunity. Charles is keen to improve his game under the supervision of Ranjith without abandoning his natural strength.

The decision of Ranjith to use creative midfielder P. Sudhakar as a withdrawn forward in the Santosh Trophy got a resounding vote of confidence from Charles. “The 4-5-1 system suits our style really well. Sudhakar has been handling the responsibility with aplomb. My main job is to win the ball in midfield and pass it to him,” he said.

Vikram Patil will be the comrade-in-arms of Charles at the heart of midfield. Chennai has become the second home of the Maharashtra native. After turning out with distinction for Indian Bank in the Chennai Football Association senior division league, the spirited player recently got a permanent job at AG’s Office. “My team-mates and coaches have made me feel at home in Chennai. Everything is going fine at the camp and I can’t wait for the start of the Santosh Trophy.  With a permanent job in the bag, I’m ready to go all out,” he said.