Coach Salim Pathan confident of a stronger Kenkre FC challenge in the 2nd Division League

by Kaushal Shukla November 11, 2015

Kenkre FC recorded back to back win in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) Elite Division League beating tough opponents in Western Railways and KSA in their last two games as they prepare for their 2nd Division League opener against LoneStar Kashmir at Cooperage on Monday, 16th November 2015.

Unlike last season, the 2nd Division League will be played in a home-away format and the teams have been divided into two groups namely the Western and the Eastern Conference, with three teams set to qualify from each conference for the final round.

Kenkre FC finished seventh in the eight-team league last season, but under new the new management of Head Coach Salim Pathan, Kenkre FC is looking to mount a stronger challenge this time out and Pathan believes his team are shaping up well for the 2nd Division League. Salim Pathan, an AFC ‘B’ License holder and formerly a coach at Hindustan FC, spoke to Football Counter after his side’s 2-1 win over Western Railways in the MDFA Elite Division about how his team is shaping up ahead of the 2nd Division League, new signings and super striker Yao Bernard.

Analysing Kenkre FC’s 2-1 win over Western Railways on Monday, Salim Pathan felt his team had room for improvement despite a solid performance against one of the better teams in Mumbai. “I feel we played well, but certainly we can do better. In the last two games, we dropped too deep in the last few minutes and gave our opponents a chance of getting back in the game. We must learn to keep our intensity for the full ninety minutes,” said the Kenkre FC Head Coach as he dissected his side’s win on Monday afternoon.

But Salim Pathan, who was the former Maharashtra junior team assistant coach felt it was down to some of the inexperienced players who are learning the trade. “I aren’t too surprised with it as we have some really young players who don’t know when to pass the ball or when to hold on to it. They will learn slowly and with some experienced players yet to come into the team, I’m sure that problem will be solved,” Pathan added.

However Coach Pathan is looking to have the services of new defensive signing Carr and former Mahindra United midfielder Loukik Jadhav in Kenkre’s midfield when they take on LoneStar Kashmir in their 2nd Division League opener. “We are looking to add 2-3 more players to this side. We have signed a new foreign defender Carr, who isn’t yet fit, but I expect him to return for our first match in the 2nd Division League. We also have Loukik Jadhav, who is a very experienced midfielder and I am banking on these players to add the experience to our team that will make us a strong outfit,” Pathan said.

Kenkre FC will have a great chance to build a foundation for themselves in the early stages of the 2nd Division League, with the Mumbai based outfit set to play their first five games in Mumbai, one of which being an away game to PIFA Colaba in Bhiwandi.

Considering the current form of the two Mumbai based sides, Kenkre FC look the city’s best bet in the competition. However Kenkre FC will be looking to at least make it to the second round in the 2nd Division League, a task if achieved will mark as a sign of progress for the club.