Kolkata: Legendary Indian soccer star PK Banerjee today walked down the memory lane as the former Argentina defender Julian Camino returned to the city 23 years after he had donned East Bengal jersey.
Cairo, who has returned to the Maidan here as an assistant coach of Argentina Football Association to inspect the arrangements for the FIFA international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela, during the later stage of his career had represented East Bengal.
In 1988 when he played in the Durand Cup for East Bengal, P K Banerjee was the coach of the team.
Twenty three years down the line, an emotional Banerjee said Camino was a phenomenal defender during his time.
Remembering his brief association with Camino, Banerjee told PTI, “Camino was not fully fit when he had joined us. He had some ligament problem for which I made him switch to midfield from right back. He was simply inspirational.
“He did not have any problem. He was very sharp, his tactics, anticipation and interception were exceptional. The team would have been immensely benefitted, if only we had got him a little earlier,” he said
Wishing Camino luck in his endevour with Argentina football side, Banerjee said he would love to meet the Argentine and take a stroll down memory lane. (More) PTI
Meanwhile, East Bengal have extended a formal invitation to Camino to visit the club tent tomorrow, the last day of his trip.
“We have requested the organisers, Celebrity Management Group, to bring him here,” an East Bengal club official said.
During his brief stint with East Bengal, Camino was quite a rage as his participation during a match against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan had drawn a record 120,000 spectators.
But East Bengal had to release him owing to financial constraints.
“We bought him. But his wages were very high. We couldn’t afford the amount through the season. After the Durand Cup, we had to let go of him due to financial constraints,” an East Bengal official said.
“It’s really good news for Kolkata that one of its former foreign players is now Argentina’s assistant coach,” the official added.
Camino is here along with Alberto Oscar Pernas, AFA administrative employee and Rodrigo Martin Bauso, another member of the three-member delegation, to inspect the arrangements ahead of the FIFA international friendly on September 2.
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella, who replaced Sergio Batista after their flop show in Copa America, roped in Camino as his deputy. (PTI)
