I-League Media
MUMBAI: On Sunday evening, Mumbai Football Club will host DSKShivajians Football Club in the opening match of HERO I-League 2016-17 at Cooperage Stadium. In the build-up to the first Maharashtra Derby of the season, the two coaches, Mumbai’s Santosh Kashyap and DSKShivajians’ Dave Rogers share their thoughts.
Both clubs from Maharashtra have had a busy transfer window as a host of new players have entered into the frame; along with a change in the top management of respective clubs.
DSKShivajians’ Dave Rogers tells: “For me getting the right blend of youth and experience is vital. Identifying the right quality of players will bring DSKShivajians to where we are trying to get the club too.”
Dave Rogers expressed his good relationship with Mumbai F.C. manager Santosh Kashyap and told his experience with the national team and time in India has helped him a lot. “I have watched Indian football for two and a half years now, watching a lot of games, travelling around the country. It was a great experience working with Stephen Constantine during the SAFF Cup.”
Talking about his football philosophy, Rogers commented, “Attacking” adding, “I want to play high tempo football.”
Counterpart, Santosh Kashyap tells, “Fans will get their money’s worth” coming to watch Mumbai F.C. play, as they would entertain the supporters with attacking football. The coach and captain Steven Dias sent a message to the fans asking them to come tomorrow and act as a 12thman for the team.
Mumbai this term have no foreign players in their ranks, but coach Kashyap tells a new transfer can be expected to arrive as soon as next week.
Coach Santosh Kashyap expressed that he has “good confidence” in the local players scouted and who are now part of Mumbai’s I-League team. Santosh Kashyap added, “DSK has the finest infrastructure in the country for players to develop”,expressing his thoughts on tomorrow’s opponents.
Speaking of former coach Khalid Jamil, Kashyap tells, “Khalid has done a fantastic job at the club. He met the expectations of saving the club from relegation. But the club needed a change, and I am thankful to the club for appointing me.”
“Allan Dias is out with a hamstring injury,” mentioned Kashyap and added that there are a total of 20 players to choose from.
Both sides have put plenty of effort in and tomorrow’s Maharashtra Derby has a lot in store, considering both sides plan on playing out open attacking football.
