Manvir Singh: it’s time each one in the team stand up and be counted
“It’s time everyone in the squad to stand up and be counted. Each one of us has a job to do and with others not here, it falls on us to get the job done. That is exactly what we did,” stated the Manvir Singh after Sunday’s heroics. “I am a forward and I get paid to score goals. I am happy for sure, and this is why I play the game. It’s nice to put a smile on the faces of all the FC Goa fans that traveled so far. We owe this victory to them.”
The 24-year-old seems to have turned a page in his career, this season in the Indian Super League. With injuries and suspension hounding the squad on the opening day of the season, the lad from Punjab was summoned by Sergio Lobera to lead the troops against Chennaiyin FC.
Although he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, an inspiring performance saw him spearhead the attack as the Gaurs dazzled all and sundry on the way to a comprehensive 3-0 win. A few games later, he did get that elusive goal. And what a time to score! Deep into added-on-time and a man down, the lanky forward rose highest to help Goa grab a dramatic point away to NorthEast United.
A few weeks later, a similar situation presented itself again to Manvir Singh. A red card to Mourtada Fall followed by a strike from the Blasters had hamstrung the Gaurs. Last year’s runners-up were truly staring down the barrel of a second-successive loss.
In stepped Manvir. Intuition and anticipation had helped him get to a rickochet at the edge of the box. He did brilliantly to charge into the box, elude the first tackle with a nifty move inside and then place the ball to the far post.
TP Rehnesh was up to the mark in the Kerala goal but he could only palm the ball out to an onrushing Lenny Rodrigues – who slotted it home with his first touch. Whilst the industrious midfielder took home all the plaudits, one couldn’t ignore the role played by the forward.
An hour into the game on Sunday night, Sergio Lobera again looked to Manvir to deliver the goods after the Gaurs’ threat on the Hyderabad goal looked inconsistent at best.
Six minutes into the second half, the forward had struck gold again. Using his aerial prowess, the Indian international was able to guide home Brandon Fernandes’ corner to score what would eventually turn out to be the winner. Football sometimes presents players with opportunities that they don’t always envisage. Making the most out of them is what separates the men from the boys.
“For me, the competition is Coro. He is the best in the league – so I have to take my omissions with a degree of reality. But that at the same time motivates me to be better with each passing game,” added Manvir. “There is quality throughout our side and more than that, we know how to fight through adversity. You can see similarly (Mourtada) Fall has been instrumental to our side, but with him not here, Sana stepped up to the plate and showed how good a player he is. Ali came in from him in the last game and we have Aiban looking from the outside for his opportunity as well. So there is strength in depth to the side.”
The trademark of a winning team sometimes lies in their ability to eke out positives (whisper ‘wins’) when the circumstances are not the best. The going hasn’t been smooth for the Gaurs in the opening stages of the season, but a look at the table and you see FC Goa within touching distance of the leaders.
With Coro and Fall back for the next game and a full squad to tackle the challenges in the near future, one can only see brighter days ahead for the Super Cup Champions.
– credits ISL Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: India U17 women’s team to play Tri nation series in Mumbai
Also Read: SAG 2019: Indian Womens team ride on Bala Devi brace to win Gold
We would love to hear your Feedback on your Football Counter experience
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…