Happy to be part of 'growing' Indian Super League, asserts Dylan Fox

The defender is the only non-Spanish member of the Gaurs' foreign contingent contingent.

FC Goa had a poor start to the campaign but since their victory against SC East Bengal, the Gaurs have remained unbeaten for the rest of their games. Dylan Fox joined them ahead of this season. However, he hasn’t yet experienced enough game-time; just three outings and 108 minutes to his name.

Prior to this season, the 27-year-old had managed some soothing Indian Super League experiences with NorthEast United and played 21 matches for them last time out.

A few days back, Khel Now caught up with the defender. Here’s what he had to say:

Returning to league for another season

The Australian defender tasted the might of the Indian Super League and spent a delightful debut season at NorthEast last time out. After some dilemma with the Highlanders, Dylan Fox finally joined the Gaurs. What prompted Fox to give another go to the ISL?

“The Indian Super League as a league is really growing. It has really progressed. Last season, after playing here, I thought it was a great place to be. This season’s comeback was a bit of a no-brainer. I love the Indian people. I love the league here and I enjoy playing here. So, I am very happy to be back,” started the defender.

Influence in comeback?

Dylan Fox shared the dressing room with Roy Krishna (ATK Mohun Bagan) back in his Wellington Phoenix days in Australia. He also enjoys a good relationship with Jordan Murray, who is playing for Jamshedpur FC this season.

When asked if they influenced his return to the league, the 27-year-old quipped, “Yes. I have plenty of friends at the Indian Super League. With Roy, Willo (David Williams), Murray, I get along very well. They were my teammates as well back in Australia. It’s great having people you know in the same league.

"It’s really good to be able to have friends here in familiar faces and they always speak highly of the league and India. The Indian Super League is growing and we all are happy to be part of it. They’re good players on the pitch and good people off it. So, yes, I think they did help in influencing me in returning.”

Why Indian Super League?

Dylan Fox enjoyed a good time in Australia. His move to FC Anyang in Korea however, didn’t work out due to an injury and the defender returned to his native country to sign for the Central Coast Mariners. He appeared 13 times for the Mariners (2019/20) in the A-League and their domestic cup (FFA Cup). He even scored once in the A-League. Eventually, Fox went on to sign for NorthEast United in the following season. What made the defender choose the ISL?

“I saw the Indian Super League growing as a league. In Australia, the A-League was stagnant for a couple of seasons. So, I thought it will be a great opportunity for myself to get over here and play week-in-week-out. I am very happy with the decision to come to India and I’m loving my time here.”

Aims with Gaurs

The FC Goa fans will be expecting nothing short of a top four finish from their side. When asked about his and the team’s ambitions for this eighth edition of the Indian Super League, Dylan Fox replied, “FC Goa is a club that is renowned for making it to the finals every year.

"This year our goal is to make it to the finals and win all the trophies possible. That’s our goal as a team. On an individual note, I want to be part of the success, to help this team push on defensively and to show all the fans and the club what I can do this season.”

Poor start to season

Despite having the tag of a “strong team,” FC Goa started the season with successive defeats. When asked what went wrong for the team, this is what Fox said on the road ahead for FC Goa after suffering many setbacks so far, “We did not have the best start to the season.

"Everyone’s still in high spirits here. The good thing is the games come quickly and I don’t worry about previous games. We know our qualities and what we can do. As it is we are fixing more details. I’m sure we will bounce back as a team and as a club. We will stay positive as it is a really tough time and we know we will bounce back.”

On Bouncing Back

Dylan Fox shed light on the process of bouncing back. “Yes, of course. We will bounce back. Every club goes through tough times like this. It is normal. Our character as a team will shine through and I’m sure we will do the fans justice and our club.

"We will show everyone what we can do because we know about the characters we have in this team, the leadership we have. We will turn things around positively.”

Message for fans

“I just want to say to all the fans that we didn’t have a good start to the season. But, I want to stay positive. Everyone in the team believes in us. We know we will bounce back and show you how good a team we are and what we can do and are capable of and just stick to this.

"Thank you all for your support you’ve been giving us online. We really appreciate it. We can’t wait to play in front of you in the near future. Thank you so much for the support. Stay with us because we need you,” Dylan Fox signed off.

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