I feel honoured but aim
higher: Subrata Bhattacharya

Expressing satisfaction and happiness at being honoured with the Asian Football Confederation's coach of the month award, Mohun Bagan's Subrata Bhattacharya said the real triumph will come when his team performs well at the international level.

"I am happy. I rate this at par with the Arjuna or Dronacharya award. But the real test will come when my team plays the Asian circuit. I will be really happy if we make it to a place of distinction at the international stage," said Subrata, in Kokata on Tuesday.

"I really don't think this is the end of the road. This is in fact the starting point to bigger laurels."

Subrata has led Mohun Bagan to 11 tournament victories in the last three years and is now busy preparing a team for the forthcoming Asian Cup championship.

The only coach to have given his team two NFL titles, Subrata was nominated for the tactical awareness he showed in Mohun Bagan's crucial final encounter against Churchill Brothers.

An AFC release said, "With Mohun Bagan a point behind Churchill Brothers going into the final day of the season, the former India internarional masterminded a remarkable 1-0 victory over the leaders in Churchill's home state of Goa."

Asked whether he aspired to become the national coach, Bhattacharya said, "I have stopped thinking about it. It is up to the governing body. They will appoint who they see fit. I have nothing to say."

Meanwhile, there was jubilation in the Mohun Bagan tent where the officials, players and supporters celebrated and basked in the glory of the rare honour. The award has come at a good time as strife-ridden Mohun Bagan has even found it difficult to string together a team for the coming season.

South Korean club Anyasg l G Cheetahs's goalkeepr Valeri Sarytchev was named AFC player of the month while Suwon Samsung Bluewings of South Korea was adjudged the Coca Cola AFC team following their successful defence in the Asian Club champiomship title.

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