Overview

Subimal Goswami (born 15 January 1938), commonly known by his nickname Chuni Goswami, is a former Indian international footballer and first class cricketer. He was born in Kishoreganj District of undivided Bengal (now in Bangladesh). As a striker, he played 50 international matches representing India. As a first class cricketer, he played Ranji Trophy for Bengal.[1]

Football career

Chuni Goswami holds the distinction of playing for a single club, Mohun Bagan, throughout his club career despite numerous offers from other clubs including one reported offer from Tottenham Hotspur.[2]

Club career

Goswami joined the Mohun Bagan Junior Team in 1946 at the age of 8 years. He was a part of the Junior squad up to 1954 and then graduated to the Mohun Bagan senior team. He continued playing for Mohun Bagan till his retirement in 1968. During his stay with the club, he captained the club in 5 seasons from 1960 to 1964.[1][3]

International career

Chuni Goswami made his international debut for India in 1956 during the team’s 1-0 victory over the Chinese Olympic team.[3] He went on to play for India in 50 international matches including in Olympics, Asian Games, Asia Cup and Merdeka Cup. He captained India to the Asian Games Gold Medal in 1962 and a Silver in the 1964 Asia Cup in Tel Aviv and in the Merdeka Cup.[4]

International statistics

For references for the International caps and goals of Chuni Goswami visit India team results and citation for the matches are provided.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

India national teamYearAppsGoals1956101958521959721960501961401962731963201964125Total4311

FIFA statisticsYearAppsGoals1956101958521959 611960 301961 301962 531964 93Total329

Matches for Olympic qualifications are not considered as FIFA ‘A’[16] int. matches, in one which he scored a goal against Iran and also, match against Japan in mederka cup and the 1963 Olympic qualification matches are also non-FIFA “A” matches.
Matches against Singapore in which Goswami played are not considered as FIFA ‘A’[17] Int. match
Friendly match against Singapore in which Goswami played after the mederka cup not considered as FIFA ‘A’[18] Int. match
Matches for Olympic qualifications are not considered Fifa ‘A’ [19].
Match against Afghanistan is not considered as FIFA ‘A’[20] international match.

  • In 1957 India played 2 matches against Burma, and 1 each against Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaya, in which Goswami must have played but those matches info. about the squads are not available and so not included in the India National Team Statistics and also not in the FIFA stats as all matches are non-FIFA “A” internationals.

International goals

DateVenueOpponentResultCompetitionGoals26 May 1958Korakuen Velodrome, Tokyo Burma 3-21958 Asian Games1[21]30 May 1958Tokyo Football Stadium, Tokyo Hong Kong5-21958 Asian Games1[21]11 December 1959Maharaja’s College Stadium, Kochi Iran311960 AFC Asian Cup qualification1[22]28 August 1962Senayan Stadium, Jakarta Thailand4-11962 Asian Games1[23]1 September 1962Senayan Stadium, Jakarta South Vietnam3-21962 Asian Games2[24]2 June 1964Bloomfield Stadium, Jaffa Hong Kong3-11964 AFC Asian Cup127 August 1964Kuala Lumpur, Malaya Cambodia4-01964 Merdeka Tournament1[25]29 August 1964Kuala Lumpur, Malaya Thailand2-11964 Merdeka Tournament1[26]

Cricket career

Chuni Goswami made his first class debut for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy during the 1962/63 season.[27] He was a Right Handed Batsman and a Right Arm Medium Pacer. After retiring from football, Goswami fully focussed on playing cricket. He led Bengal cricket team to a Ranji Trophy final. In his cricket career, which spanned up to 1972/73 season, he played 46 first class matches, scoring 1592 runs and took 47 wickets.[28]

Other activities

Chuni Goswami is a very versatile personality. He turned out on occasion for his club hockey team. He also enacted a featured part in a Bengali movie Prothom Prem. He was also the Sheriff of Kolkata in 2005. He also played Lawn Tennis in South Club.