Akhil Rawat
AIFF Media Team
KOLKATA: Mohammedan SC have well and truly announced themselves back on the Indian football scene this season after winning the Calcutta Football League and reaching the Durand Cup final, earlier this year. Ahead of the Hero I-League, which starts on December 26, head coach Andrey Chernyshov felt that though the team is well prepared, the Hero I-League could pose a different set of challenges.
“Winning the CFL and making it to the Durand Cup final against FC Goa was good preparation for us. There are a lot of quality teams to play against. But I can’t compare these tournaments with the Hero I-League. It’s a tough league from what I have heard,” said Chernyshov.
“I am very satisfied with my players’ preparations. Our management has supported us well, providing us with a nice hotel to stay in and ground to train. We have signed a lot of good players as well,” he added.
With the league set to be played in a bio-bubble due to pandemic restrictions, Chernyshov agrees it’s a difficult situation, but they can’t complain as the rules are the same for all teams.
“The Hero I-League is a difficult tournament because there are a lot of good teams. We have collected information on our opponents, watched their videos, and played some friendly games with them. My players are ready to fight for the title,” he said.
Serbian Nikola Stojanović is one of Mohammedan’s chief signings in midfield for the season. The 27-year-old has settled well in India even though he hasn’t had a chance to go out much yet. “It has been nice here so far. We’ve done well in the Durand Cup and CFL. I always search for challenges in my life. I want to win in everything that I compete in.”
When asked about what made him choose to come to India, Stojanović replied, “Coach Chernyshov was the main reason to come here. He called me and even came to my city to convince me to join Mohammedan.”
The Serb was impressed with the support of the Mohammedan fans. “It’s unbelievable how much passion they have. They supported us in every game during the CFL and Durand Cup, even when we played in Kalyani, which is a bit far from Kolkata.”
“During the Durand final, 60,000 fans came to support us at Salt Lake. We will miss the fans in the Hero I-League as they are a big part of this club,” concluded coach Chernyshov.
