Sarthak Golui: I have been pushing myself for a spot in the India team

The youngster is expected to be a mainstay in Mumbai City FC's defense during the ISL 2019-20 season.

The erstwhile FC Pune City (now Hyderabad FC) were in serious turmoil off-the-pitch ahead of this season and hence, a proper revamp meant that many clubs got an opportunity to pounce upon their best players. Without fussing over it for long, Jorge Costa’s Mumbai City FC were wise enough to lure centre-back Sarthak Golui across the Maharashtra divide. The lad has also been given a starting role to play alongside Mato Grgic in the heart of the back four.

In an exclusive chat with Khel Now correspondent Pradyumna Tembhekar, Golui spoke about his move to the metropolis and getting a call-up to the national team among many other things.

When rather jokingly quipped about finally moving to the better side of Maharashtra, Golui said, “I don’t know if it’s the better side or not. I am enjoying my time here in Mumbai, and I had a great time in Pune too.”

[KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

It came as a bit of surprise, that Golui was made a regular starter at merely 21 years of age. However, he has probably earned that experience over the years, regarding which he remarked, “Of course, it’s a new opportunity. I don’t think there is any kind of pressure or something."

"I have got to learn a lot from the senior players, especially the experienced foreign players. So, I try to learn from our coach too, who has had a stellar club and international career himself. This is a good opportunity for me to improve both as a player and a person too,” Sarthak Golui added.

On Jorge Costa

About boss Jorge Costa he added, “He is a very aggressive coach in terms of his demands on the field, which is very important according to me as to maintain professionalism within the team.”

But, Golui’s experience didn’t merely begin with his stint at FC Pune City as such. He had been a part of Mohun Bagan in the I-League for two seasons prior to that. Speaking about the technical, footballing differences between the gameplay of the I-League and the ISL, he stated, “Well, its football at the end of the day. Regardless of the league, the ultimate goal remains the same! I learnt from the coaches there too."

Difference between ISL and I-League

"Here, maybe the coaches are more experienced on the European football front. So, there are small technical intricacies that I try to improve upon their advice. There’s not much difference, as I came from Mohun Bagan, where the craze for football is insane,” Sarthak Golui quipped.

With Mumbai City FC having national team regulars like Raynier Fernandes, Amrinder Singh and Subhashish Bose, in their ranks, the competition for places is tough. Nonetheless, about his own national ambitions Sarthak remarked, “I have been attending national camps for the past two years. My aim is also to play for the national team. So, I have been pushing myself for that, to make a place for myself in the XI. It is a dream for every youngster to play in the national team’s jersey.”

On His Father

His father has had a vital role in his development as a player right from Sarthak’s teenage days. When asked about his reaction to Golui shifting from Pune to Mumbai, the defender said, “My dad has been my first football coach. He still guides me quite a lot. He was a centre-back in his own playing days, as he had played for a first division club in Kolkata’s league.

"So, he still observes my game and his analysis is often negative, constructive as such! I might forget my mistakes in the game, but he surely does not. When I was switching clubs, he backed me to the hilt and offered his support to me to make sensible calls on my career.”

On Mato Grgic

Even before the first match, the rumour mills were going strong that Sarthak Golui would pair up with another new signing, Mato Grgic in the heart of the backline. Regarding that prospective partnership, he remarked, “I have had experience of playing in various positions across the backline under the tutelage of many coaches.

"Mato is an excellent defender and an even better human being. I interact with him everyday, during breakfast and other times. So, we are developing a good bond, as he is very polite. We would hope to translate this relationship to attain better results on the pitch as well.”

Mumbai City FC fans' club, the West Coast Brigade have come up in the headlines several times in the last few years and Sarthak has seen that prominently during the Maharashtra Derby last time around. “The support is very important for every club. We give out best performances on the field for their happiness only.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

"They are an integral part of Mumbai City FC. They had turned up in large numbers for the pre-season matches and hence, I am expecting that they would attend consistently during the games too. The away fans culture is also developing in Indian football and I hope it grows exponentially in the coming times,” the defender asserted.

Mumbai City FC have been unable to win any silverware over the years, but with a good display last season and then an encouraging pre-season, does he think they are capable of lifting the ISL trophy this term?

Golui stated, “That’s our and my personal primary target too. We will try to win over the smaller targets by giving our 100% in every match. I hope my dream of winning the tournament comes true this season with Mumbai City FC.”