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Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Kerala & Chennaiyin open up to media in Mumbai! Who said what?

Published at :November 10, 2017 at 2:30 PM
Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM
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(Courtesy : ISL Media)

Tushaar Sachdeva

For the first time in four years, Hero ISL conducts a media day to let the teams' fans to know them better.

The Hero Indian Super League conducted it's first media day in the financial capital of the country allowing six teams to interact with the press in a bid to increase their public relations, appeal to the fans and ensure the people know about the new teams enough. Every club was represented by their head coach, a foreign and an Indian player at least at the venue.

The event started with interactions from FC Goa and was followed by Bengaluru FC, Pune City FC, Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC and finally the hosts, Mumbai City FC.

The other four teams, NorthEast United, Jamshedpur FC, Delhi Dynamos FC and ATK are set to participate in a similar event to be hosted in Kolkata on 12th November 2017. The excerpts from the event are as follows.

 FC Goa

FC Goa's Sergio Lobera on his philosophy of football - "My aim is to play football that is not speculative. We need to focus on our style and manner of play. We can't rely on one player to be successful."

Bruno Pinheiro - "We are strong together as a team and that will be our strength this season. When I see the Goan fans, I feel very motivated. I want to play for them. We need to score more than the opponents. Very happy to be back at FC Goa. I love the Goan people and want to give them the trophy this season. My heart is yours and I love you back! I hope to bring the trophy to Goa by the end of this season."

   Bengaluru FC

Albert Roca on Bengaluru FC's chances this Hero ISL season - "We have to start well if we have to finish well. I don't feel pressure. I see it as a challenge to be faced."

Nishu Kumar - "It was my dream to play for Bengaluru FC!"

John Johnson - "We've got new players come in and they've gelled up well. We have a good partnership which will help us during the season."

Albert Roca on Bengaluru FC's debut in Hero ISL - "We are not going to change our philosophy. We will adapt to the situation."

John Johnson - "We are playing in a new league, facing new rivals. It's a new challenge. Bengaluru FC have a flexible squad. There's a good balance between foreign signings and Indian players."

 FC Pune City

Ranko Popovic - "Football is a beautiful game. And we will try to make it more attractive here in India."

Ranko Popovic - "You must feel your jersey, your emblem. And if you can do that, you can give your 100% to the team."

Kean Lewis - "We have a lot of young players in the squad. They are very eager to perform in the ISL and they put in hard work for the same."

We have a few Brazilians and we hope to show some magic: Kean Lewis

Ranko Popovic - "We will try to win the first game, then the second game. And we will go step by step. One for one. Game for game."

Marcelinho - "We will try to improve our game, show our skills, and connect well with teammates that will help in attacking. Ranko has a strong - mentality & personality."

The World Cup and the ISL both are tremendous platforms for India to awaken to football: Marcelinho

 

Marcelinho- "I see something special here - the stadium, the fans, the passion. Indian football is growing every year and I am happy to be playing here."

  Kerala Blasters

Arata Izumi - "I am really lucky to expose myself to new challenges. I can't appreciate ISL enough." On Indian players in the squad - "They are ready to learn and they could be potential leaders of Indian football."

On Dimitar Berbatov - "He makes football look very simple. He is a leader on the pitch."

Iain Hume - "There has been a drastic change since season one. Indian football is only improving. They've come leaps and bounds. I love to play football. That's why I am here every season. I am enjoying it."

We will play to win the title and we know it's not easy- Iain Hume

 Chennaiyin FC

John Gregory on Jeje Lalpekhlua - "He's a natural goal scorer. And he just enjoys putting the ball across the line in the net. We do not have any marquee players. We'll try and build younger talent here. We've been ticking off the days and by next Sunday we will be ready." 

On Indian players getting exposure - "They are live on TV, playing in front of huge crowd every week. They will learn and develop very quickly."

Henrique Sereno - "I hope that my experience will help all the other players in the team. Nowadays tactics are more important than skills. And the Indian players are really picking up and improving."

 Mumbai City FC

Abinash Ruidas - "This is the first time I am playing outside of Kolkata. I am eagerly waiting to go back there, to play against ATK. Change in a year was good and different but it's professional football and we have to give our 100 percent for every team."

Lucian Goian - "Defence doesn't only mean 4 defenders. We defend with all 11 players and we attack with all 11. All games are special. Playing in a big stadium may feel different but preparation is still the same. Same focus and hard work."

Alexandre Guimaraes - "This season the players that we have, their characteristics, I am very satisfied.With a longer league, we will have more time to recover and prepare for every game differently in practice."

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