RedBull Neymar Jr’s Five offers us an opportunity to compete with the best

by Chittu Shetty March 18, 2020

Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five Mumbai leg champions UK United players Shravan Shetty and Riddic Carlo credited their club owner and mentor Ronnie D’souza behind their success.

Joga Bonito and Kalina Rangers have become a synonym among Mumbai football when it comes to 5-aside tournament. In the last three years, the two sides have represented India in various International Five a side tournaments. Amidst these heavyweights, this year another City club – Uncle’s Kitchen United (UK United), have defied all odds to win the Mumbai Qualifiers of Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five and are now just one tournament away from representing the country in Brazil for World finals.

In an exclusive interview with Footballcounter, UK United players Shravan Shetty and Riddic Carlo talk about the man behind their success,  Five-a side football in India and finally the Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five tournament

Excerpts:

1.Around 100 teams participated in the Mumbai qualifiers, With 2 former National champions in Kalina Rangers and joga Bonito, how does it feel to win the qualifiers? And how excited are you guys for the National finals?

Shravan Shetty – We had a great journey so far and we wish to continue this journey in the national finals and we want to make our team owner, the ever supporting Ronnie D’Souza proud by winning the national finals. We are really happy that we are the city champions and we will be representing Mumbai. Previous champions of national finals have been from Mumbai (Kalina Rangers and Joga bonito) and we will give our best to continue the trend and be the next team from Mumbai to represent India.

Riddic Carlo – We have come a long way with all the hardships and failures. All thanks to Ronnie D’Souza to be an amazing mentor who has guided our team always and stood by us in all failures as well as victories. It’s an amazing feeling and a proud moment to be a part of the finals. And we are super excited to be in the finals for the first time. We shall leave no stone unturned to win the National finals as we are representing Mumbai.

2. What was the atmosphere within the team during the final? You faced a pretty young side in FC Cecilians, were you guys nervous?

Shravan Shetty – We were excited for the finals against FC Cecilians, we knew they are a remarkably young squad. They had reached finals by beating former champions Joga Bonito. We were a bit nervous but our team Owner Ronnie D’souza had our backs and kept us motivated. He only said one thing “To give it our best, it doesn’t matter what’s the result”.

Shravan Shetty – We had a great journey so far and we wish to continue this journey in the national finals

3. How long have you been playing this game and what inspires you?

Shravan Shetty – I have been playing this game since a decade now. I have been working hard in all formats of football and have received a lot of trophies and recognition through football in Mumbai. My love for the game and the recognition that has comes along with it is something that inspires me.

Riddic Carlo – I was good, not the best but good enough to start and play almost every day. I was passionate about football since childhood and it’s been over a decade since I started playing football and what inspire me to play the game are the difficulties I have overcome and the achievements and recognition I have received over a period of years

4. What do you think of the 5-a-side football (Rink football) in India?

Shravan Shetty – Five a side culture is growing rapidly, previously all recognition was from 11 a side football however since last decade 5 a side football has picked up pace.

Riddic Carlo – There is a real boost in popularity of 5 a side football. Tournaments like Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five has giving us opportunities to play 5 a side football on a global level.

5. How different is it from 11 a side football?

Shravan Shetty – 5 a side requires high intensity and great physical fitness. Compared to Normal football, here the time duration is reduced which makes this game very quick.

6. Any messages for your fans in Mumbai?

Riddic Carlo – We Uncles Kitchen United as a team would like to thank all our fans for the astounding support and love received by all of you. We shall make sure everyone is proud of our team by putting in our all efforts and winning the tournament and representing India in Brazil.

Riddic Carlo – This league offers us an opportunity to compete with the best and a road to reach the world stage.

7. What is your opinion of RedBull Neymar Jr. 5 as a league?

Shravan Shetty – Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five league is a growing community who are providing opportunity to the youth of Mumbai. It is giving us a platform to showcase our talent and witness various talents coming from different parts of the City.

Riddic Carlo – This league offers us an opportunity to compete with the best of the country and a road to reach the world stage.

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