Mumbai: Earlier this week Mumbai FC thrashed the Union Bank Of India 6-2 in the MDFA Elite Division League. Here we have goal scorers Cletus Paul, Josimar Da Silva Martins and Abhishek Ambekar in a post match interview with Mumbai FC Media.
Mumbai FC`s 21 year old striker, Cletus Paul, has scored 3 goals in 2 consecutive games in the MDFA Elite Division. Here`s what he had to say in a post-match interview after he put the UBI defence to their swords.
"It feels great to be in the starting eleven. I just want to play good football and help the team win. I am hoping that I can play with such consistency throughout the season as I aim to play in the I-League regularly for Mumbai FC. I want to prove myself."
Mumbai FC seemed to have had some difficulty in breaking the UBI defence but Cletus offered a different opinion. "I wouldn`t say it was difficult. Rather we all were a bit scratchy in the first half. Neither team created clear cut opportunities. They were pressing us a lot but I knew if I kept calm, I would get my opportunity to score."
He added, "Another factor was Josimar. I felt that when he came onto the pitch it pumped up the rest of the players and after that we totally brushed the opposition aside."
Josimar and Abhishek on their first goals for Mumbai FC!
How did you feel getting onto the scoresheet for Mumbai FC?
Josimar: It was great! It`s always great. The team around me is fantastic. I was bound to score. I could`ve even had a hattrick. How amazing would that have been!?
Abhishek: Yeah! It`s been a great start and I am excited to score more in the upcoming matches.
Josimar, everyone at Mumbai FC and our fans have a lot of expectations from you! Does that put pressure on you?
No, no, not at all! It rather motivates me. It`s always great to know that you have good support from your coaches, teammates and the fans. I have trust in my ability and it is good that people expect me to do well. I am proud of that!
Abhishek, the first hour was quite a scrappy affair against UBI? What do you think was going wrong?
Nothing was going wrong per se. They just didn`t allow us to get out of second gear. You saw that once we scored the first goal, the game opened up. Yes, they scored the equaliser which shocked us a bit but that pumped us up to score more and the final scoreline speaks for itself. Regardless of that equaliser, the first goal boosted our confidence and after that the ball just started landing in the net again and again.
On where the team needs to improve...
Abhishek: We just need to keep training with each other. All of us are building an understanding which is a great positive.
Josimar: With regards to the match, I would say the first half could`ve been better. We put ourselves under a bit of pressure by not leading at half time.
Other than that it`s a good way to get ready for the upcoming season so I would say let`s give it our best. There are some fantastic players in the squad.
