OTD: Tragedy struck the Kanteerava as Cristiano Junior died on the pitch

3rd December, 2004.

A day that was supposed to be the Federation Cup final between Dempo Sports Club and Mohun Bagan Athletic Club in Bangalore's Kanteerava Stadium turned out to be remembered for something no one saw coming.

The match was in a tense state, with Dempo holding a slender 1-0 lead going into the final stretch of the match.

Dempo then had an opening with their striker Cristiano Junior through on goal. Out came the Mohun Bagan keeper Subrata Pal and the striker and goalkeeper collided but Cristiano managed to squeeze the ball into the net.

While it was unclear whether Subrata Pal got a hand to the face of Cristiano during the tussle, Cristiano did go off in celebration but seconds later collapsed on the ground.

Teammates Ranty Martins and RC Prakash rushed to his side, but despite frantic efforts to revive him, it became apparent that Junior’s condition was grave.

The referee, M. Balu, had already signaled for the restart of play, but the match was delayed as an ambulance was called.

Junior was quickly rushed to the HOSMAT Hospital, but tragically, he was later declared dead.

The news of Junior's death was confirmed by AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco, who broke the devastating news to reporters.

At the hospital, there was silence and disbelief. Ranty Martins, Cristiano's teammate, was seen beside Junior's lifeless body, crying inconsolably.

Dempo's head coach Armando Colaco and other players were left in disbelief, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.

Cause of Death

An autopsy conducted at Victoria Hospital in Bangalore confirmed that Junior had died of a sudden cardiac arrest.

A subsequent autopsy in Brazil confirmed the same cause of death. Despite speculation that a foul from Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Pal might have caused the incident, investigators found no evidence linking Pal to the tragedy.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee initially suspended Pal for two months, but the suspension was overturned on appeal due to lack of evidence.

Further scrutiny revealed that the match did not adhere to basic safety protocols: neither team had a doctor on the sidelines, only physiotherapists, and the organizers had failed to ensure the presence of a medical professional as required by AIFF regulations.

The Aftermath

The passing of Junior, who had quickly become one of the most prolific foreign strikers in Indian football, shocked the football community.

Coming to India in search of a livelihood, Junior made an immediate impact upon arriving in 2003, scoring 21 goals in 24 appearances for East Bengal, leading the team to the National Football League title.

His performances earned him the Golden Boot, and he later signed with Dempo, where he continued his goal-scoring exploits.

The Brazilian forward's untimely death had many people questioning the lack of medical precautions and the failure of authorities to act swiftly.

Junior’s widow, Juliana, and his mother in Brazil are left to mourn the loss of a promising talent who had hoped to build a brighter future for his family through his football career.

It has been 20 years since that fateful day in Kanteerava, but the memories of the prolific striker live on, who was taken away far too soon.