MARGAO
Former Dempo Sports Club winger Ishfaq Ahmed lauded Goa for successfully hosting the Indian Super League without a hitch in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.
The State got the nod ahead of West Bengal and Kerala to host the high-profile event, which went on for more than five months. "First and foremost, I must say that Goa has done a perfect job on the conduct of the Indian Super League. It's not an easy job with all the pandemic restrictions and protocols and Goa has come trumps... it's been absolutely a perfect organization,” Ahmed said.
The Jammu and Kashmir winger is not new to Goa, having played for Dempo in the I-League. “My time with Dempo was very memorable. I had been at the top club with fantastic management and coaches,” he said. “Now, there have been a lot of positive changes here. The infrastructure has been increased, there are so many grounds having all the necessary facilities. The ISL had required modern facilities to play on a stretch until it concluded,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed was an assistant coach at Kerala Blasters FC under head coach Kibu Vicuna until the Spaniard was sacked after the team failed to make it to the playoffs. Ahmed took interim charge of the team for the last two matches before switching roles as a TV pundit for the ISL broadcaster.
“In this season, the story of Kerala Blasters was very disappointing. The local and as well as foreign players underperformed throughout the tournament. They did not play to their calibre and tamely lost matches when we were in winning positions. You have to be consistent in ISL or else you get punished,” said Ahmed.
He also stated that he had recommended Goan defender Jessel Carneiro to the Kerala management and felt the player did well but did not get the support of the defence.
Ahmed said he was happy for the performance of home team FC Goa, who reached the playoffs but lost in the semi-finals against eventual winners Mumbai City. “I have lovely memories in Goa... during the playing days at Dempo. I know about the fan following and passion of the people for the game. Footballers are respected here and much loved. This season here is a huge success and I doubt any other State could pull it off,” Ahmed signed off.
