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Bhutia's had the most impact in Indian football, says PK Banerjee

Updated on: 25 August,2009 07:00 AM IST |
A Correspondent |

No one has been able to create such AN IMPACT On Indian football in the last 25 years as striker Bhaichung, says PK Banerjee

No one has been able to create such AN IMPACT On Indian football in the last 25 years as striker bhaichung, says PK Banerjee

TRUST Bhaichung Bhutia to mark an important occasion with a fitting performance. He celebrated his 100th appearance in India colours with a match-winning display to power his team to a 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan at the Nehru Cup tournament in New Delhi on Sunday.

Bhutia scored the first goal and then set up the second as India bounced back into contention in the five-nation tournament after losing to Lebanon 0-1 in the opening match at the Ambedkar Stadium.

Former India captain P K Banerjee, who was named Indian Footballer of the 20th Century by FIFA and represented the country for 13 years, called Bhutia an icon.

"Bhutia's really done very well. I played around 90 international games, he has surpassed me by playing 100 to become the first Indian to do so. It's a great achievement. Apart from all his qualities as a footballer, he is a very decent gentleman," Banerjee told MiD DAY.

"In the last 25 years, no one has been able to create such an impact on Indian football. It's not easy to be at the top for so long. Bhutia is No 1 in Indian football and has set the benchmark in Indian football. There were quite a few players during my time who were of Asian standard. Players like Inder Singh, Jarnail Singh u2014 all played for the Asian All Stars. In the modern era, Bhutia almost reached that level. He is a true icon," said Banerjee.

"When he was starting out in football as a teenager, he played three years under me at East Bengal and I still remember his first hat-trick against Mohun Bagan which announced his arrival," recalled Banerjee.

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