Kolkata: September 24, 1977 will always remain a special day in the hearts of millions of Mohun Bagan fans. It was on this day 39 years ago the National Football Club salvaged a draw against an invitational New York Cosmos side led by legendary footballer Pele.
One man who still remembers that match is Shyam Thapa, who scored the all important equalizer for Mohun Bagan. The packed 80000 fans at the Eden Gardens erupted in joy as Thapa’s powerful shot beat the Cosmos custodian and found the back of the net.
“I was left dumbstruck to see the 80000 strong fans cheering and chanting the slogans of Mohun Bagan. I could still visualize those moments,” says Shyam Thapa even after 39 years.
According to Shyam Thapa, they couldn’t believe when they were told about playing against Pele. They were all very excited to take the field against the team which boasted of stalwarts like Pele, Alberto Torres and Chinaglia.
“We were over the moon to have got an opportunity to play against Pele. But after the initial few minutes, we settled down.”
Shyam Thapa reiterates the fact that perhaps the overnight rain went in their favour as the Cosmos footballers were finding it difficult to control the ball. According to Thapa, “It rained the whole night before the match and so the ground was slushy. It was not conducive to good football as Cosmos footballers were finding it difficult to keep control of the ball. It worked out to our advantage.”
Bagan conceded a goal in the 17th minute and were under pressure. But the Green and Maroon footballers coached by Pradip Banerjee never lost hope. The Mariners equalized in the very next minute through Shayam Thapa.
“We did not get demoralized even after conceding the first goal as we knew we will get opportunities,” a satisfied look Shayam Thapa commented to xtratime.in
In fact the goal that he scored against Cosmos proved to bring good fortune for him. He went on to score in all the finals that Bagan played that year. Mohun Bagan won the Triple Crown in 1977 by winning the Durand Cup, Rovers Cup and IFA Shield.
According to Shyam Thapa, “The goal against Cosmos gave me a new lease of life. Mohun Bagan went on to win Durand, Rivers and IFA Shield. Incidentally I scored in all the finals.”
Bagan felt let down after being awarded a controversial penalty in the 73rd minute. Like his other teammates, Shyam Thapa too feel, “That was not a penalty. Perhaps the referee got overawed to see high profile footballers like Pele and Alberto. May be he did not wanted to see Cosmos losing the match.”
The Cosmos team with Pele landed in Kolkata airport on September 22, 1977. The footballers were given a grand reception by the Mohun Bagan club officials at the airport. After taking a break for a day, the Cosmos footballers led by Pele stepped into the packed Eden Gardens amidst loud cheers from Mohun Bagan supporters. Much to the disappointment of Green and Maroon fans, Cosmos took the lead in the 17th minute through Carlos Alberto Torres. Mohun Bagan drew parity in the next minute with a brilliant goal from Shyam Thapa. A defence splitting pass from Habib found Akbar who then passed the ball to Shyam Thapa standing in an open space. Thapa managed to thwart a tackle from a Cosmos defender and unleashed a powerful shot that beat the outstretched hands of the Cosmos custodian.
The packed Eden Gardens erupted once again when Md Habib gave the lead in the 33rd minute. The Cosmos goalkeeper Erol Yassin failed to latch on to a pile driver from Akbar. Habib made no mistake in placing the ball into the net from the rebound. Mohun Bagan looked certain to take the match away but was awarded against a controversial penalty in the 73rd minute. Italian world cupper Georgio Chinaglia made no mistake from the spot kick. Mohun Bagan was robbed off a historic win as the match ended 2-2.