By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay,
AIFF Media Team
KOLKATA: While newly-appointed Mariners’ coach lauded the ‘team-effort’ for clinching an enviable double over their arch-rivals Kingfisher East Bengal in the ongoing Hero I-League season, the man of the moment Dipanda Dicka didn’t think twice dedicating his match-winning brace to none other than Sony Norde who is due to depart for Haiti in two days.
On being asked who does the Cameroonian striker dedicate his first-half brace, Dicka rattled, “Obviously Sony. We were a part of a team and we’re still. Yes, he’s leaving but we don’t count him out of our team.”
Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty also vented that the Green and Maroons would like to ‘dedicate’ this victory to none but the Haitian playmaker Sony Norde.
“See, he has been an integral part of our team since the start of the season. Yes, he’s leaving the day after tomorrow and we would like to dedicate this win to him, say, a parting gift for him.”
Moreover, the coach who has taken over the reins after Mohun Bagan’s I-League winning coach Sanjoy Sen parted ways with them, lauded the ‘team-effort’ for the terrific win.
“In the absence of Sony Norde, a team was gradually building from the core. Results might not have come for us but the team was getting stronger with each passing day. Finally, the day has come today when the boys have shown their worth on the field.”
He further added, “It’s the team who operates and executes the plans on the pitch. They have pulled off a stupendous job today and the whole team deserves the credit.”
On being asked whether it was the by far best performance by the Mariners recently in a derby which is meant to be contested closely, Chakraborty said, “It was a perfect synergy of the team play and a cohesive effort of the planning and execution of the same on the field.”
“We knew each match is going to be a do or die for us and we have to push our limits to steer our campaign in the right direction” Chakraborty added.
Meanwhile, the Mariners will leave for Aizawl tomorrow whereas the Red & Godls will welcome leaders Minerva Punjab FC on January 30, 2018.
