PANAJI
With the ISL Draft around the corner, the hopefuls for the prestigious tournament are shoring up their credentials to whatever extent possible with pre-season taking shape. One such prominent local side, Dempo SC began their training on Monday at Miramar Beach.
On the first day, 21 players showed up bright and early at the beach on the outskirts of the State capital. Beginning with stretch dynamics, the footballers moved on to a 15-minute medium pace run to get their muscles warmed up. Thereon they took to doing drills with the ball, followed with a run at a good clip. With the players now warmed up, they took to playing small-sided games comprising 7 members a side.
Speaking exclusively to
The Goan, head coach Samir Naik revealed that the Club always tells the players, when season is not on, does not mean they are on holiday. "The players are told to keep themselves active in other sports like swimming, basketball. Besides, the players who had excess weight are given a special diet," the former India defender stated.
Speaking further, he divulged that they have a few players in the ISL draft. "Two of these players, Anthony Fernandes (left half) and Adil Khan (central midfielder/defender) have not attended any of their four beach training sessions yet.
"While some voluntarily come, others are awaiting the outcome of the ISL Draft to materialize and then take a call on their immediate future," Naik stated. Dempo striker, Beevan D'Mello and central defender, Ali Mohammed who are first-timers at the ISL Draft pegged at Rs 8 lakh and Rs 12 lakh respectively are not resting on their haunches but putting in their hard yards with the Panjim-based outfit.
Meanwhile, a few other players have been unavailable for various other reasons. While Gabriel Fernandes (midfielder) has moved to East Bengal, goal-keeper Priyank Singh is reportedly gone back home, while Germanpreet Singh (Midfielder) is busy with the India U-23 squad and Uttam Rai (Striker) is also unavailable. On a heartening note, Shallum Pires, who has captained the Club in the past and has plied his trade with Mumbai FC is seen going through his paces at the pre-season training though not signed up with the team yet.
The team is expected to hit the ground running after July 29 at Duler. They are in talks with FC Goa and are expected to play against them a friendly within two weeks. Before bracing up for the challenge, they will look at training first among themselves, and accordingly take decisions where they lack and thereon correct the shortcomings.
In reply to a question, Samir stated that they will assemble a squad by end of first week of August. "At the moment, we are looking for players. Most are in the draft for the ISL, while others are choosing other I-League sides. Most of the players, want to play in the glamorous ISL as the first choice, with I-League as next best option," Samir who took over from an ailing Maurice Afonso as the gaffer matter-a-factly said.
Quiz him on when the Goa Pro League will happen this forthcoming season, Samir stated, "possibly in September I heard they may have the first two rounds before going in for a break for the course of the FIFA U-17 World Cup or else it may begin only in November."
Players on one-year deal with Dempo SC: Naveen Mendes, Vineet Bugde (both left back), Nestor Dias (centre back), Latesh Mandrekar, Kapil Hoble (both right winger), Jason Vaz (striker), Velito Cruz (central midfielder).
