Bhaichung Bhutia and Subhas Bhowmick with the then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee during the felicitation of the Asean Club Championship winners, at the Salt Lake Stadium, on August 17, 2003

Calcutta: Ten years of the historic Jakarta jaunt…

On July 26, 2003, East Bengal created history winning the Asean Club Championship in Jakarta. After Beating BEC Tero Sasana 3-1 in the final East Bengal players were catapulted to the super stardom.

But for Subhas Bhowmick, who was the coach, it’s nothing more than just another title.

“It was a crucial victory at that point in time. We played our hearts out and won the trophy. But then, past is past… I don’t want to remember history. I only look forward. The victory doesn’t hold any significance for me now,” Bhowmick said, on Thursday.

For the players though it’s still something they cherish.

The Telegraph spoke to seven of the 12 players who played in that match and Debjit Ghosh, who missed the semi-final and final after suffering a near-fatal injury in the quarter finals.

Here is what they have to say (alphabetically)

Bhaichung Bhutia: I still get goosebumps… One of the most important victories of my career. It brought football into limelight. See, when India won the LG Cup in 2002, it gave us a platform. But people started taking us seriously only when we won the Asean Club Championship. It was more because BEC Tero Sasana was in the final of the AFC Champions League and they were the in-form team. We had lost to them in our first match. But when we faced them in the final, we were not nervous. We wanted to go out there and give our best shot. The rest is history.

East Bengal failed to deliver in the next few years because they could not hold on to that team. It was a dream team. Every player was at his peak. That we were able to build that team was because of Subhas Bhowmick’s efforts.

Ahead of the tournament, he introduced new methods. We stayed at a five-star hotel… He played a major role in appointing South African physical trainer Kevin Jackson. It was a first by any Indian club. I mean it was an ideal way of having pre-season training and I respect Bhowmick for that.

10 years on: Administrator

Alvito D’Cunha: In the team meeting, ahead of the final, Subhasda said: ‘In each position, we have players who are capable of delivering the goods. But we don’t know how to tackle Therdsak Chaiman. Someone has to block him. Who will be the guy?’ Sasthi promptly put his hand up. And what a game he had. He didn’t have a good physique but he nullified Chaiman’s threat by marking him strongly. I scored the third goal. The goal became more special to me because I used my right foot.

10 years on: Player-cum-member of the support staff of East Bengal

Sasthi Duley: We were a very balanced side. Even the reserve bench was fantastic. No wonder we won the title.

10 years on: Coach of Southern Samity

Debjit Ghosh: My family celebrates July 21, 2003 as my second birthday. I could have died that day. I suffered a concussion after a collision with an opponent. What hurt me more was that the injury forced me to sit out of the semis and final. I was really disappointed. But then, when your team wins, you forget everything. But I really wish I were on the field on that Saturday.

10 years on: Self-employed

Shylo ‘Mama’ Malsawamtluanga: We enjoyed ourselves to the hilt. We were very disciplined… We kept things simple.

10 years on: Playing for East Bengal

Dipak Mondal: It is still a dream for me. I never believed we would win the trophy. It was Subhasda who made us believe in our dreams and we are really grateful to him.

10 years on: Playing for United SC

Suleh Musah: I was injured ahead of the final and refused to take the field. Bhow-mick’s stern words reduced me to tears. But then, he motivated me and encouraged me. I led the team to victory. I still have a picture of us with the trophy on my bedroom wall. Those were the best days of... I think what clinched the issue for us is the pre-season. Earlier, we were all aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. But we became like a family only after staying together at the hotel. It really helped to build the team spirit. I am not in touch with any of them. But it would be nice if the class of ’03 has a reunion.

10 years on: Playing for Departmental Club, at Accra, in Ghana

Sandip Nandy: Well, I really cannot believe it’s been 10 years since we won the title. It still feels like yesterday that we returned from Jakarta and we were greeted by thousands of fans. Amazing scenes those were! Actually, the tournament made me what I am today. It taught me so much. I was adjudged the best goalkeeper. I remember saving a shot in the tie-breakers. The save took us to the final. There was a lot of hue and cry over our stay at a five-star hotel. Our triumph silenced all the critics. We were simply fantastic.

10 years on: Joined Mohun Bagan from Churchill this season