Nicknamed El Picaro (meaning ‘The Thief' in Italian), Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro has scorched the greens for NorthEast United with his striking prowess in his debut ISL season. He has netted five of the six goals the Highlanders have scored so far. Basil Sylvester Pinto had a chat with the clinical finisher, who has earned the most Man of the match awards this edition. Excerpts:
Q: NorthEast had a great start to the season but then began their free-fall from the standings. With you as a key player, how would you look at changing the tide? EA: It's not an advantage. They have other very good players to step in even if these two players (Arnolin and Richarlyson) cannot play. The team was unlucky in many situations, many games. I saw that. There are no easy games for us. This league is very competitive. There is not much gap between the teams standing first and last on the table.
Q: What made you sign for an Indian club in a relatively new league?
EA: There were many factors. I had different offers before coming here. But finally I decided to join the ISL because it was a short tournament. Everybody is talking about the league around the world, many big players are coming here. Also one of my mates with the national team, Diego Forlán came this year to play in the league. Of course, before coming here, I got to know about Guwahati and NorthEast. I was told that the city (Guwahati) was warm when you talk about football support and the fans are fantastic. Any time you go to the stadium, fans are there to support us. This was another factor in joining NortEast.
EA: This is football. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. We started very well and stayed at the top of the table for many games, but after that we started to lose at home while other teams started to win and we are in this position (sixth with 10 points) now. But for me, the most important thing is not to dwell on the past. We will try to change the situation which is not good for us.
Q: FC Goa has two key players suspended for the game against NorthEast. What are your thoughts on the opposition?
Q: Your thoughts on your team's head coach Nelo Vingada?
EA: Our relationship is very good. He is a very open coach. He is the one who convinced me to come here. All players have a good relationship with Nelo because he is a good man and after that he is a good coach.
Q: You will miss the Goa match due to a suspension. Do you think your absence will hamper your side? Q: How was the experience being part of the Uruguayan team that participated in 2014 World Cup qualifiers?
EA: No. Like I told you about FC Goa, there are some players who can do my job; they can score. Here in India, there are players with talent. It is not about one player, but most important is the team spirit. We have good spirit in the team. I hope we will win against FC Goa.
Q: You have forged a good partnership upfront with Katsumi Yusa. Your thoughts.
EA: He is my mate. He is a good player who knows India perfectly well. Anytime when he is on the pitch, he gives his 100 per cent which is important for us and for everybody here.
Q: Many foreign strikers lack clinical finishing in the ISL. They miss out more than they score. What is the secret behind your impressive conversion rate?
EA: (laughs) I do not know what is the secret. My way to do anything is work every day, work hard. Try to learn everyday about my partners, about my coach, my staff, people working with us. It is not only work, but trying hard. Sometimes we make mistakes, miss chances. This is football, things happen. It is not an easy sport, you have to play with your partners.
EA: It was very nice. Playing for your country is one of the best things to feel when playing football. You play for your people, you play with your heart. But I know it is very difficult for a striker (to break into the squad) because we had brilliant players. We had one of the top strikers in the world in Luis Suarez, and then we also had Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlán as well. It was very difficult for me to get a game but staying in the group with these great players was an honour.
Q: Your message to upcoming footballers.
EA: There is only one way in life. Work and try. If you want to be something in your profession. In football, you have to train hard and dream. If you dream, you have to try to realise it. To catch this dream, you have to train every day like it is a final. Of course, if you play football you have the talent. If you have to support the talent, you have to train and work hard.
