Sandeep Chohan

Me (on left) with Ninos

Yours truly! In 1995 I played in defence and made no real telling contributions (similar to Les Ferdinand since he joined Spurs). The odd tackle and turn are all that I can claim to have achieved during that tournament, with one match in goal as a bonus (we lost one-nil!).

In 1997 however, I found my calling as a makeshift centre-forward, although my official position was again in defence. In the opening game, I had one moment of sheer inspiration which had the rather meagre scattering of observers gasping and applauding. I received the ball from my goalkeeper, and dazzled the first man with a cunning change of feet, and a bewildering turn of pace. I slowed and cut back inside the man I had just beaten (ignoring his blatant rake down my achillies - bloody hooligan) before executing a complex triple-dragback which beat two men and was rewarded with cries of "Brazil!" from the sparse crowd (I assumed they were comparing me with the likes of Pele, and not 'Alan Brazil').
The fearsome shot that I unleashed was saved by the grandad in the opposing goal, who flopped ungainly onto the shot with all the grace of Tony Adams after a skinfull. It was later suggested that the keeper didn't mean to save it (since such a great piece of skill shouldn't be saved, only respected), instead he was actually falling to his knees in worship of my sublime excellence. This could explain the rather embarrassed look on his face throughout the remainder of the game.

In the second game I scored two goals. The credit for the first lies at the feet of my teammates who set me up perfectly. Carl made a superb tackle which set Joseph away, and he played a beautifully weighted ball in front of me. I struck a volley at shin-height with the outside of my left boot ('Campionato' made by Lotto in Italy: Ł49.99 in the shops but I'll get it for ya for Ł18.99) and was gratified to see it slip sweetly between the goalie's legs (and anyone who quotes this from the words "and was..." onwards is a sick, perverted individual!).

My second goal came from a good bit of link-up play between Joseph and Raj. They exchanged passes before Joseph turned his man a la Cruyff and hit the ball down the line to me. Unfortunately he overhit it, and so most of the players relaxed seeing me chasing a ball that was obviously destined fo a goalkick. However, I just reached to ball and sidefooted it, from an impossible angle, (with just the faintest of spins) between the keeper's legs again. Needless to say, I was mobbed.

1999 Update
Having missed 1998 due to a European call-up, I returned to the squad to find I was now the only recognised defender in the team! Crippling injuries forced me to only play the first half of each game, with Ninos deputising for the remainder of the game. My rampaging runs were restricted due to my being the last man back, and I endured an unspectacular tournament, having to content myself with breaking down threatening counter-attacks a la Sol Campbell.
Despite this, I still managed to enjoy a scintilating, swerving freekick which went narrowly wide, as well as a double dragback which beat 2 men and resulted in a shot which was tipped onto the bar. It is also no coincidence that we never conceded more than one goal in any of our matches... Viva la defence!!!

2000 Update
After enduring a rather unproductive tournament in 1999, this year I scored 3 goals and played in a more advanced role for a large proportion of games. The first of my goals was a neat side footed curl under the 'keeper in our 5-0 drubbing of A & A Removals, and the second was a gift from Carl's square ball, which gave me an unguarded goal to aim at. My third goal was a classic in the mould of my 1997 skill, with me teasing a defender before completing a double-dragback and bending a shot past the 'keeper from a tight angle. Three goals was a pretty good return considering I was the most nervous player in the squad, part of the reason I swapped my defensive role for Carl's forward one!