Exclusive: In conversation with Scott D’Souza
When you closely look back at the previous campaign of MDFA Elite Division, whether it is a goal-scoring chart or a collective performance index, it would be always dominated by Air India and ONGC’s...
Category: Interviews
Exclusive Interview with KNFC Coach Salim Khan on their recent success
Founded in 2013 by Salim Khan, KNFC (Kapadia Nagar Football Club) has cemented their place in the fraternity of Mumbai Football, setting an example of how a new and rookie club must approach the...
We have become stronger as a unit: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the first Indian Footballer to play in the UEFA Europa Cup feels the team has “become stronger as a unit with every passing game.” In a freewheeling interview, Sandhu speaks at...
I wish to see our young academy players represent country in next 7—8 years – Firmin D’souza
Speaking to Football counter, the Head Coach of SRS sports expects people to keep a realistic expectation from the Academy, stating nobody can make a world class player in just a year. One of...
Indian Football needs sustainable growth – Raymond Verheijen
Raymond Verheijen conducted a football periodisation workshop, which was held for top 30 football coaches from across the nation and the sub-continent in Mumbai. This is the second visit for the former FC Barcelona...
Raw talent needs to be identified and nurtured in a proper environment – Tony
With former A-League coach Tony Walmsley appointed as head coach for the Academy, the new venture in Mumbai aims to identify talent who can take up professional football and nurture them accordingly. UK- based...
Karen: Bodyline has a strong ‘value system’ in place.
Every Tournament has its own story. Same goes for the recently concluded WIFA Women’s Championship which was held in Mumbai. Bodyline SC managed to score 25 goals in just four matches but it’s quite...
“Motive was to encourage girls to come out and play,” Henry Menezes
The last couple of years has been quite encouraging for Women’s Football in Maharashtra. With the immense backing from WIFA (Western India Football Association), FIFA and AIFF, numerous states tournament has been held recently....
Aishwarya Balapure: “Our squad have 4-5 players who belong from slums.”
Over the years, we have seen numerous players who had to define the Tournament or Championship just by their natural talent. In the recently played WIFA Women’s Championship, it was Aishwarya Balapure who produced...
“I am thankful to my team and coach.”: FC Pune City’s Senorita Nongpluh
Prior to WIFA (Western India Football Association) Women’s Championship, who’d have thought a 13-year old would take the Championship by storm? Earlier this year, FC Pune City’s star striker Senorita Nongpluh made the headlines...
“We analyzed our mistakes and came back stronger”: Mohan Dass
On Monday evening, a new dawn embarked for FC Pune City Academy in Mumbai. The Pune outfit. managed by Mohan Dass, became the Champions of the inaugural WIFA Women’s Championship which is a FIFA-AIFF...
You can not build a team in a month: Constantine
Mumbai: Despite India reaching 100 in the FIFA Rankings, National Coach Stephen Constantine stresses that “we have not achieved anything as yet.” With the National Team practising in Mumbai at the Preparatory Camp ahead of...
Interview: Firmin D’Souza talks to Footballcounter before Inter-District Sub-Junior final
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...
I-league sponsor Coca-Cola committed to the Indian Football
NEW DELHI: Back in the 1980s, a Bengali kid, after his school used to run to the Maidan to spend the afternoon with his friends and obviously a football, his oxygen. 12 years later,...
Interview: Salgaocar FC’s Scottish striker Darryl Duffy speaks his heart out
NEW DELHI: Middlesbrough academy graduates to ex-French national player, all are plying their trade in Hero I-League. A Real Madrid Academy product is calmed down by a lanky Indian defender, on the other hand, an...
We must maintain our rhythm: Sushil Kumar Singh
Mumbai FC were back on track after the surprise defeat at the hands of DSK Shivajians with a solid performance in a 0-0 draw with defending champions Mohun Bagan. Despite missing the services of...
Joshua Walker convinced me to join Bengaluru FC: Michael Collins
Press Release by I-League Media While the news of Joshua Walker’s injury saw the daylight, Bengaluru FC fans felt clueless. The sturdy midfielder made himself an exuberant part of Bengaluru FC in the last...
Back home, Mumbai FC’s Pratik Chaudhari says he is thriving under Khalid Jamil’s faith
Mumbai FC have been enjoying home comforts for the last two games in the Hero I-League and that’s set to continue for one more game as Bengaluru FC come calling to Cooperage on Wednesday....
Performing on the pitch is the best way to answer critics: Khalid Jamil
Mumbai FC have returned from Shillong with a highly credible point, and are already out on the field flexing their muscles for their home bow on Sunday, which sees them entertain one of the...
In discussion with Durva Vahia on her time in the game and how she ended up being a footballer
Football Counter caught-up with Mumbai City Football Club’s Grassroots Development Officer and Indian Football School Coach, Durva Vahia. We discussed her views and experiences in the sport, what did she learn from her time...
Mumbai FC wanted me the most: Arata Izumi
Mumbai FC announced the signing of Japanese born Indian midfielder Arata Izumi, on loan from Indian Super League club Atletico de Kolkata on Thursday as the former Pune FC midfielder was yet another high...
Minchol Son expects a strong challenge in his new club Mumbai FC
With the new season of HERO I-League on its helm, Mumbai FC’s new North Korean recruit Minchol Son, who they signed from Shillong Lajong few months back had an exclusive one on one interview...
Steven Dias: “Now I have got one more chance to prove myself.”
Former Indian International Steven Dias scored the winner for Mumbai FC in the Final of RCF Nadkarni Cup Football Tournament 2015-16 against mighty Air India to win his first trophy with his hometown club, Mumbai...
I never interfere with the referee’s job says Mumbai FC U20 Head Coach Arshad Hussain
A late strike from Mumbai FC U20’s Digvijay Yadav saw them rescuing a point against Income Tax in their Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) Super Division encounter at St. Xaviers Ground, Parel on Tuesday...
Signing for Mumbai FC marks a new beginning to my career: Steven Dias
Steven Dias, the flag bearer of Mumbai Football on the national stage has made a return to playing football in the city after five years of playing for outstation clubs after the former Indian...
My ultimate aim is to win the I-League next season: Rahul Bheke
I-League football returned to Cooperage and Mumbai after five long years, and so did the Mumbai FC supporters who all but helped Khalid Jamil’s men turn Cooperage into a fortress. Not being the most...
We are confident and in perfect shape: Hasmukh Baria
Nobody gave Kalkaar Indians a chance to make it to the play-offs after their slow start to the season. But Hasmukh Baria’s men kicked on when it mattered the most to find their way...
We are in it to win it: Milind Tandel
Brainy World have been the team to beat in this season’s Colaba Super League and have rightfully earned their place in the CSL Final. Starting off the league with a solid 3-1 win over...
Constantine will get the players fighting: Climax Lawrence
India, touted as the sleeping giant of the footballing world will take its first step towards a dream World Cup appearance in Russia in 2018 when they face Oman in the first of the...
We played our hearts out: Godfrey Pereira
There is something about unbeaten league triumphs and the red & white kit colors. After Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal went unbeaten in the English Premier League in 2004, our own city Mumbai saw similar feat...
Been there, done that; Experienced Climax Lawrence seeking a quick start
Mumbai FC have a date with destiny on the final day of the I-League season which sees the Mumbai outfit in a five way tussle to beat the drop when new comers Bharat FC...
Bouncing my way back from injury is my biggest victory: Francisco Salin
Francisco Salin, a name which has been sending shivers down defenders’ spine all season long, has just stepped it up to an altogether new level in the past few weeks, racking up nine goals...
Sport was always a passion for me: Jafferbhai Mansuri
Jafferbhai Gulam Mansuri, a name which has slowly in the past 40 years evolved into a brand. The journey which started with a small restaurant at Grant Road in 1973, has now culminated in...
The coach has instilled a fighting spirit in us: Josimar Martins
Mumbai FC’s Brazilian predator Josimar Da Silva Martins has been the difference between Mumbai FC and the drop zone this season, scoring seven goals for the Cooperage club this season and keeping them at...
Versatile Ashutosh Mehta – An ace in Khalid Jamil’s pack
Football is a team sport but there are always individuals who steal the lime light. Sometimes it so happens that the brightest of talents fail to click as a unit but sometimes there are...
Mumbai FC’s fans are the best in the country: Chika Wali
With just three goals leaked in the last six games and Mumbai FC having racked up twelve points from these games to propel themselves to the sixth place in the Hero I-League, things are...
Calling all aspiring analysts and coaches! Here’s a chance to get your Dream Job!
Sportstec, an Australian company is head quartered in Sydney with over 50 offices across the globe. Sportstec offers performance analysis solution for any sporting discipline. They have a suite of products designed and engineered...
Old friends Suresh and Julian happy to share the spoils
Football is a funny old game. Whether you believe it or not, it keeps its pursuit of making you believe it is. Football sometimes throws up some really fascinating match ups. Match ups not...
Mumbai FC’s rising star Jayesh Rane hails coach Khalid Jamil’s influence
Mumbai FC have shown great resurgence in recent times after their early away day blues in the I-League and now sit sixth in the charts, just four points adrift of the summit. A lot...
“It was one emotional roller coaster of a learning experience”, the Rustomjee Go Green Cup had it all
It has been a week since the action winded up at the Don Bosco grounds and the dust has settled in on an action packed week of some scintillating football from the ‘To be’...
We are the most qualified state for grass roots: Henry Menezes, CEO, WIFA
The Western India Football Association led the way in Maharashtra on Women’s Day with one of the biggest initiatives for young girls as Women’s Day was celebrated across the state on football fields. The...
Relishing the life between the sticks, Modest Nidhin Lal focusing on the basics
Mumbai FC’s shot stopper Nidhin Lal produced a jaw dropping performance to deny Bengaluru FC all three points and help Mumbai FC keep their unbeaten home record intact. Having joined the club back in...
A casual chat with the very iconic Marc Robinson
A breezy Wednesday evening at the Don Bosco Grounds, Matunga and there are numerous parents cheering their kids who play in the Rustomjee Go Green Cup hosted by Kenkre. One amongst these is the...
In conversation sans coffee (version 2.0)- With Akhil Kothari
So on the penultimate day of the 5th edition of the Kenkre Champion’s League, our main man Kaushal Shukla got the opportunity to interview another young Kenkre gaffer, Akhil Kothari. He was a man...
I want more people to come and support us: Taisuke Matsugae
Mumbai FC’s new midfield maestro Taisuke Matsugae has been in fine form of late and has been a shining light in their campaign so far. Bought in from Shillong Lajong Taisuke has seamlessly gelled...
I am very confident about my half line and this would be our main strength: Augusto D’Silva – Maharashtra sub junior team Coach
Fresh from his side’s 6-0 thumping of Gujarat in the first round of qualifying from the west zone of the National sub junior football championship for the Coca Cola Cup, coach Augusto D’Silva was...
Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil confident on his squad that has potential to go the distance
Mumbai – 24 October, 2014 – An exclusive Pre-season interview of Mumbai FC Head Coach, Khalid Jamil. Read a transcript of his interview below: On his aims for this season… We want to play really...
Candid Chat with John Coutinho
Mumbai – 21st October, 2014: One of Mumbai FC’s long serving players, John Coutinho, faced some candid questions from the Mumbai FC Media. Here’s an excerpt from the interview: Your favorite moment at Mumbai...
Candid Chat with Meldon D’Silva
Mumbai – 20th October, 2014: Mumbai FC center back, Meldon Silva in conversation with Mumbai FC Media. Here is an excerpt from the interview: How does it feel to be a Mumbai FC player? I am...
