Interview: Firmin D’Souza talks to Footballcounter before Inter-District Sub-Junior final

by Balbir Singh December 11, 2016

On Sunday, 11 December, 2016, Mumbai Under-14 will face Pune Under-14 in the final of Maharashtra State Inter-District Sub-junior boys’ Football Championship. We spoke with Mumbai Under-14 coach, S. Firmin D’Souza about his Mumbai Under-14 side and what is to be expected from the final.

What do you make of Mumbai Under-14’s run in the tournament so far?

I think, what Jaywant and I have tried with our team is to play some brilliant combination football, and the kids have executed what we wanted, brilliantly. This side has not had a clinical finisher but yet has managed to score 18 goals in 3 matches. That’s a sign they are playing as a team.

How do you feel the has side progressed over the matches they played together?

Before we started our campaign in the State Championship we had 4 to 5 days to select the team, and for that, we played a couple of practice matches and lost all of them. After that, we announced the team and managed to have one practice with them in which we trained our team’s shape and playing style.

With just one practice there was no time to coach except work on a strategy that consisted of team shape and playing style. The boys in so less time have grasped and excited exactly what we wanted. I don’t know what else can I call this talented or what.

What are your thoughts on the final against Pune Under-14 on Sunday?

It’s a final and we face last year’s Champions. It will be the biggest test of the tournament.

How ready is the side to triumph on Sunday’s final?

Of course, Jaywant and I believe in this lot of players and think they even have the potential to make it very big in football.

How do you feel winning the Inter District would impact everyone in the city?

I think most of the football players and fraternity is not aware of the tournament. Would be nice if such tournaments are highlighted from day 1 of the trials so that everyone from Mumbai would be behind their team.

I and Jaywant hope to see a lot of Mumbaikars tomorrow in Boisar to support our Mumbai team.

Firmin and Jaywant have been pulling strings together for Mumbai Under-14’s and apart from the abundant talent are the two leading front men to be credited for Mumbai’s road to the final.