Blurb
Mumbai City FC have requested team FC Goa for a friendly match during their practice session in Dubai as the Goan ISL outfit set to start their pre-season training on September 3
Augusto Rodrigues
PANAJI
Four Goan players - Pratesh Shirodkar, Gabriel Fernandes, Rowilson Rodrigues and Albino Gomes- land in Dubai early on Tuesday with team Mumbai City FC for their ISL pre-season training. Brandon Fernandes who has joined the India camp may join the team later, but that would depend on whether he is picked by coach Stephen Constantine for the India XI.
Mumbai City FC have made a request to team FC Goa for a friendly match during their practice session in Dubai as the Goan ISL outfit is to start their pre-season training nearby on September 3. “Zico will take a final call on the practice match with Mumbai City FC,” stated a senior FC Goa official associated with the team's tour to Dubai.The entire Mumbai City FC contingent reaches Dubai today along with marquee player cum coach Nicolas Anelka. “We definitely want Brandon to be selected and play for India. If he can come here too, it will be fine. But, I don’t think he will get much time to gel with the team in Dubai,” stated a Mumbai City FC official to The Goan.
Twenty-eight players are in the camp at the moment and they will be together till September 7. From these, 26 will be registered for the World Cup qualifying match against Iran. Players report to their respective ISL teams after the match.
Mumbai FC are expected to train in Dubai for three weeks and will come back to Mumbai to practice at the once famous Cooperage stadium later. “The remainder of the training will take place only at the Cooperage. We have booked a hotel nearby for the entire squad and all will be staying together," stated a team member of Mumbai City FC.
“This is a great opportunity to rub shoulders with senior players from abroad. I am going to give my cent percent on and off the field. Learning to improve my skills and techniques are going to be my first priority," said Pratesh hours before boarding the flight to Dubai.
“Gabriel, Albino and Rowilson are with me. We met with some of the other boys from various parts of India. We are waiting to meet Sunil Chhetri too. The chance to play and train along with him is another opportunity,” stated Pratesh.
FC Goa will be in Dubai for two weeks. They return to Goa to continue with the remaining pre-season training at Tilak Maidan, Vasco and Nehru stadium, Fatorda.
