Players laud BPFL, call it perfect pre-season tournament for Mumbai football

by Chittu Shetty August 9, 2019

As Borivali Premier League enters its business end, players laud the tournament for giving opportunities to young city players while also setting up as perfect pre-season for Mumbai Football

We sit down with some of the key players of the clubs that have made their way to the semi-finals of the league: Dhaval Waghela & Johnson Mathews (Fleet Footers FC), Digvijay Yadav & Vihang Salunke (Tiger Sports), Navneet Palav – Milan Club (Captain)

Excerpts:

How has the journey been so far?

Dhaval Waghela: It’s was wonderful till now

Johnson Mathews: The journey so far has been great with the fleet footers family. We have been working hard and all of that has been paying off in the games we’ve played so far.

Digvijay Yadav: It’s been a great journey. All players have given their best so far

Vihang Salunke: Journey has been great we are very much united, the team the staff has been great

Navneet Palav: It has been a thrilling ride throughout the BPL tournament for Milan. Not only this year but also the past 2 years as went very well for us. We have build together a competitive team and the atmosphere within is electric.

How is the team spirit? Any injuries or concerns before the knockout round?

Dhaval Waghela: Team spirit is good and we are ready to face our opponents

Digvijay Yadav: No, we have no injury concerns. All players are fit and fine and we hope to give our best

Vihang Salunke: Although our center half Shubham Mane will be missed, the team is very confident and positive.

Johnson Mathews: The team spirit has been amazing be it on field or off the field, so far with god on our side there hasn’t been any injuries to none.

Navneet Palav: We are a packed side with players who have enough amount of experience and equally young lads who bring the new zest to the game. So an equally balanced side overall.

What do you think of BPFL as a tournament?

Dhaval Waghela: It’s a huge tournament where many young talented players are given opportunities to prove themselves and many experienced players also play and pass on their opinions or experience

Digvijay Yadav: Its a good tournament like a Pre-season tournament to get fit before the real season starts

Vihang Salunke: A well organized tournament and great platform for the players to perform and show up

Johnson Mathews: The BPFL tournament is a platform to a lot of young players like me where we gain a lot of confidence and experience with playing alongside some experienced individuals and tough opponents. It helps me to keep myself in shape and fit even in my off-season.

Navneet Palav: BPFL has been a boon to players residing within permissible limits. It’s a great platform for players to be match fit on their off season and be ready for the subsequent season.

Do you think the team can retain the title again? (for Fleet Footer Players)

Dhaval Waghela: Yes we can retain it

Johnson Mathews: That is what we are here for! We continue to keep doing the same and focus on the the knockouts by taking it game by game. As I said earlier, we will keep working hard, do our best and would like to approach the knockouts step by step.

Do you think the team will make it this time?

Digvijay Yadav: I have confidence in our team and hopefully we can make it through the semi-finals.

Vihang Salunke: We are all positive and confident and will give our 100% on the pitch till the last minute.

Navneet Palav: We have to keep knocking on the door, don’t we? Its the third time that the team has reached this far in as many years only to be the second best. We have made few alterations and permutations throughout the leagues games to know what is the best combination for the team.

For fixtures and news updates on Borivali Premier League: Click here