When life came full circle for Pereira at Tilak Maidan!

Goa, March 6, 2019: One always has some nice anecdotes to hear when it comes to football and footballers – sometimes, it’s an unheard story of a player or a tantalizing tale of a team rising from the ashes.

Newly-appointed India U-23 National Team coach Derrick Pereira has a coincidental but fascinating connection with the Tilak Maidan in Goa where the youngsters are preparing for the forthcoming AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers.

The 56-year-old coach started his playing career with Mangor Sports Club (Vasco) when he was just 15 years old. After playing for the Vasco-based club for two years, he got a call-up from Mundvel Club who were regulars in the Goa Senior Division League.

Within one year, Pereira got his first professional contract from none other than Salgaocar FC before he blew out the 18th year candle. Thereafter, he got his coaching credentials and now has been appointed as the U-23 Head Coach, one can only wonder the importance of Tilak Maidan in his life.

“Even I couldn’t believe it first when I came to know that practice sessions will be held at the Tilak Maidan for this camp. My professional playing career started here, even my first coaching (National stage) session I took here and now our first National team assignment too. It’s a nice coincidence, I must say and I’ll relive it always,” Pereira shared with www.the-aiff.com.

“After playing for Mangor and Mundvel for three years, it was really great, especially, for a 17-year-old boy like me to get a contract from Salgaocar. During the days in Mangor, we used to play at the Tilak Maidan only,” Pereira recalled.

On being asked about his first match, he rattled, “It was in January 1981 and the match was against Vasco. I was a little nervous thinking about playing at the Tilak Maidan again, that too against Vasco. Unfortunately, I miscalculated an aerial ball in the 10th minute and got a deep cut on my forehead. Coach didn’t think twice to replace me.”

After hanging his boots in 1999, he started assisting Norbert Gonsalves who was the coach of Salgaocar U-19 team. Then, after a short stint with the Goa U-21 team as the team manager, he was offered the coaching role of Vasco Sports Club. And from there, as they say, the rest is history.

“I say, it was nothing but God’s plan for me. Peter Vales took me as the team manager to Dumka (Jharkhand) with the Goa U-21 team. After coming back, Vasco offered me to coach their team for a week. I didn’t think twice before saying yes and there started my coaching career, that too at the very Tilak Maidan,” Pereira took a walk down the memory lane gleefully.

After qualifying for the National Football League from the Second Division in the 2000-01 season, Pereira continued with Vasco Sports Club for 5 years before taking up the reins of the star-studded Mahindra United Club in 2005. 19 years after starting his coaching career, the former international defender has been provided with his first-ever national team assignment to take the U-23 boys to the first-ever continental championship finals.

“After 15-20 years, it’ll be an interesting tale to share with my grandchildren, I must say”, Pereira said while he burst out in laughter, “Probably, it was something which God had planned for me beforehand. I have grown at this ground and now, it’s great to have the training sessions here before the Asian Championship.”

The India U-23 contingent will play a friendly match against Qatar U-23 National Team in Doha on March 11, 2019.

AIFF MEDIA

Also ReadOld brigade re-unite as India seek maiden AFC U-23 Championship berth

Also ReadIndian U-17 World Cup star to train at English Championship side Blackburn Rovers

Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

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…

Share

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…

Share

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.

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share