My father always wants me to score goals: Mandar

by Chittu Shetty November 20, 2017

Mandar Rao Desai’s father Dattarao Desai always wants to see him score goals and the 25-year-old from Mapusa didn’t disappoint becoming the first Indian goal scorer in ISL Season 4

Mandar Rao Dessai of FC Goa celebrates the 3rd goal with team players during match 3 of the Hero Indian Super League between Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai India on the 19th November 2017
Photo by: Arjun Singh / ISL / SPORTZPICS

Mandar Rao became the first Indian goal scorer in this ISL when scored the third goal during the FC Goa’s 3-2 win over Chennaiyin FC in an away game on Sunday. After their first win, Mandar now wants to go all the way and win the title this season.

Also Read: Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa produces what it promised

Excerpts from an interview:

Q: First Indian scorer of ISL Season 4, you must be feeling great!

A: It was important to get the first victory of the season and as such, it was also important for me to score that goal. We won the game and it turned out to be a great start for us.

Q: You dodged the defence well and found yourself in the right place to convert Manuel Lanzarote’s assist. Take us through your practice sessions which reflected in that excellently coordinated goal.

A: We have been working hard since the time we went to Spain. We worked on various formations and techniques. We gave it our best, even in the practice games that we played once we returned to Goa. The combination and linkup between our players is really good, and that is what resulted in that goal.

Q: What did your coach Sergio Lobera tell you before and after the game?

A: He just told us not to take any pressure on ourselves and to go out and enjoy the game. He asked us to be excited about the game and try and win it. After the win, like all of us, he was happy too.

Q: How did you celebrate the first win of the season?

A: We were very happy in the dressing room. Everyone was really happy for the three points that we got after our first win. However, this is just the start, we have a long way to go and have to win the upcoming games and at the end of the season we can celebrate when we’re crowned champions.

Q: Did you call home after the win? What was their reaction?

A: My father always wants me to score goals and he was really happy that I did. My parents were both really happy that I scored. They called me after the game. It’s a good feeling for them and I am also proud of myself.

-Courtesy ISL Media

Also Read: Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa Player Ratings: How did the players fare.

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