
A closer look at the trailer of the Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan and you will immediately connect with the fact that Devgn is playing the role of legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim - the chief architect of the period that can truly be called the 'Golden Age of Indian Football'. In fact, the story of Rahim and his boys has all the right ingredients from official apathy to heroes battling it out after debacles and rising again to become the top team in the continent for a classic sports movie.
Rahim became the manager of Hyderabad Police and the Indian national team in 1950. During his tenure, Hyderabad Police won the Rovers Cup five times in a row from 1950 to 1954 and the Durand Cup four times. After refusing to participate in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, India won gold at the 1951 Asian Games, beating a strong Iranian side 1-0 in front of a packed home crowd in Delhi, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in attendance.
India's journey to the pinnacle of Asian football became possible only because of the tactical brilliance of their coach. He despised the British style that concentrated on ball possession and dribbling, with the attackers thriving on long aerial balls. To develop fast passing and combination play, he started 'one-touch' football tournaments. Rahim also started a 'weaker-foot' tournament where the players could only use their weaker foot for passing and scoring goals. When the rest of the country was still playing the archaic 2-3-5 formation, the revolutionary coach opted for the 4-2-4 system that was made popular much later by the gorgeous Brazilians in the 1958 and 1962 World Cup. A man far ahead of his time, Rahim could think out-of-the-box and was always ready to try out new tactics. So, it is hardly surprising that three of India's greatest managers in the post-Rahim era PK Banerjee, Amal Dutta and Syed Nayeemuddin - were all mentored by Rahim Saab.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Man's World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Man's World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

Exosomes For Hair Thinning Hype Or The Future Of Hair Regrowth?
For individuals experiencing hair thinning or baldness, exosome therapy offers a novel approach to hair restoration

Are We Going Through Beauty Burnout?
While the burgeoning industry brings with it the luxury of choosing from multiple options, it's becoming counterproductive for a beauty consumer

Are Sedans Dead?
With SUVs ruling the roost, the iconic sedan body style has taken a backseat on popularity rankings

ABHAY VERMA THE BREAKTHROUGH STAR
2024 was definitely the year of this 27-year-old actor hailing from Panipat, Haryana. Munjya, which saw him play the lead opposite Sharvari Wagh, has turned out to be a sleeper hit, and no one is complaining

Is Personal Style Just Another Downloadable Template in 2025?
Individuality has left the chat—fashion today is just the same template, endlessly reposted

Will Unforced Error Make Sinner Concede Crucial Match Point?
The spectre of doping allegations looming over Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner might throw the tennis world in a state of limbo, depriving the sport of its most hyped and potentially era-defining rivalry of recent times, between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

HOW I GOT INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW BALANCE REBEL V4S
A running shoe that's ready to commit

RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Mumbai-inspired design meets marathon-ready performance in the TATA Mumbai Marathon 2025 ASICS Gel-Kayano 31s

Happily Divorced!
A man and a woman can't be 'just friends'… unless they have gone through a marriage and come out of it alive

ARJUN KAPOOR TELLS IT LIKE IT IS
Nearing forty, Arjun Kapoor finds himself at a pivotal crossroads. The Bollywood star is reflecting on a decade-long journey, balancing his thirst for adrenaline— be it on a film set or a racetrack—with a growing desire for stability. In a candid chat, apart from talking about his return to romantic comedy with Mere Husband Ki Biwi and his unconventional career choices, Kapoor opens up about love, friendship and life beyond showbiz