KOCHI : For a defender in the rough and tumble of the Indian Super League, where matches keep coming in quick succession, Cedric Hengbart is a remarkably elegant player.
He reads the game superbly, times his tackles well, is comfortable on the ball and picks a good pass from the back. Tall and lean, he is quick to launch counterattacks and hardly misses an opportunity to burst into the rival box. The “warrior” — as Kerala Blasters FC coach Steve Coppell likes to call his centre back — is everything opposite off the field. Warm and friendly, the 36-year-old has endeared himself to teammates and the legions of fans with his smile as well as skill.
Watching the Frenchman play, it would seem football is a simple game. His thoughts echo that sentiment too. Looking forward to the final league game against NorthEast United FC, which is a virtual quarterfinal, the former Auxerre player had this to say: “If we keep a clean sheet, we are in the semifinal.”
Indeed! It is that simple for Hengbart. Forget trying to play for a win. Forget trying to hold on for a draw. If the Blasters, who have 19 points, can keep a clean sheet, they would have automatically finished a point ahead of NEU who have 18.
Any goal they score would be a bonus. So how does he keep it so disciplined at the back, and not give away penalties or too many free-kicks? “I don’t know,” he says candidly.
Touching upon his skipper and central defensive partner Aaron Hughes, who too possesses a similar style, Hengbart adds: “It is just our style. We play more with our head. We are more smart than we are strong. We decide to tackle only when sure. I just try to play like this, maybe elegant. I’m happy it has been good for the team.”
Having played over 400 matches in various divisions of the French league, including Ligue 1 with Auxerre, he is emphatic that Kerala fortunes rest on their solidity at the back.
“Only against Mumbai we let in five goals. Otherwise, our defence has been strong, with Josu (Prieto) on the left and Sandesh (Jhingan) on the right. It is difficult to say how we are going to play the next match. It depends on how it develops. A lot of things can happen. But the most important thing is we have to play a similar back four like we did against Kolkata. The two in central midfield are also going to be very important. If we defend well, the forwards can attack freely,” he points out.
But he knows what’s coming from their opponents, having had a stint with the Highlanders last season after being a lead figure in the Kochi side’s march to the final in ISL 1. “NorthEast have good forwards. We have to be very good.”
krishnakumarkh@newindianexpress.com