Coach provided the vital input

Kerala coach Satheevan Nil Balan said he had advised V. Midhun to look for shots to the right and the goalkeeper followed his advice to make two crucial saves in the tie-breaker and help his team beat Bengal in the Santosh Trophy final on Sunday.

As the title clash went into the penalty shoot-out, Balan provided the vital input to the Kerala custodian.

‘“I told him, out of five, two will shoot to your right’,” said an elated Balan.

Midhun dived to his right to block the first two Bengal shots from Ankit Mukherjee and Nabi Hussain Khan. Kerala then converted four chances to establish an unassailable lead and lay their hands on the coveted trophy after 13 years.

Balan said the match got extended owing to Kerala's missed opportunities. “We did not have extraordinary players who could last up to 120 minutes. We wanted to finish the game in 90 minutes. Bengal scored because of a little lack of concentration.

“We have the potential, but not the kind to attack and defend immediately. Our boys were challenged from the very first, so they were tired.”

Balan said this was his biggest achievement as coach. “In the last 14 years I did not get the opportunity to coach Kerala. When I got the chance, I did some things differently.

“It is a fresh team, my technical staff are new. I chose the players who can do what I tell them to do.

“For last three-four years I have been working with the (Calicut) university team. So I know who the players are who can work hard not just to get into the team, but those who know my philosophy and can work as a team.

“I have won many championships, but the Santosh Trophy is a prestigious title for Kerala. They have been waiting for this. So this is the best win in my coaching career,” he said.