Panaji: Mykola Shevchenko was surprised that someone among the journalists remembered his stint in India and the subsequent transfer to Maldives.
The Ukrainian, now coach of Churchill Brothers Sports Club, spent a year each at Churchill and Dempo Sports Club at the turn of the century, but unlike the great foreign players of the past at both clubs, his name doesn’t really ring a bell.
At Churchill, he was part of the 1999-2000 squad that finished second to Mohun Bagan in the National Football League (NFL), but that squad had such bright Goan talent – Francis Silveira, Marcus Carvalho, Rocky Barreto, Danzie Ferrao, now manager – that the foreigners were easily overshadowed. Anyone remembers Andriy Malchevsky, or even Oscar Hunda?
At Dempo, it was equally unimpressive as Shevchenko was part of the squad that failed to qualify for the NFL in 2000-01.
“I am returning to Churchill Brothers after 17 years. That’s a long time but I can see that the passion for the game (from the family) has remained unchanged,” Shevchenko told reporters during his unveiling in Margao last week.
What has changed, surely, is Churchill’s team profile. Churchill has imported some of the best foreign players to ply their trade in India, but if you look at the team roster for this season, names like Emuejeraye Precious (Singapore) and Osagie Monday (Nigeria), the two confirmed signings so far, doesn’t appear to be in the same bracket. Three others, including two Nigerians and a Brazilian with Vietnamese passport, are on their way, as most hopes are pinned this year on the foreign contingent.
“I’ve not had too much time with this team but what we lack in talent, we can more than make up with sheer motivation. We are motivated. With good motivation and discipline, you can beat the best of teams,” said the Ukrainian coach.
Churchill, former I-League champions, will need plenty of motivation. In the Goa Pro League, the team has been struggling, losing to Vasco Sports Club 1-4 in their last clash, before heading to Shillong for their I-League opener against Shillong Lajong FC on Saturday.
“What did everyone say about this team last year? That we are not the Churchill Brothers of old, but everyone saw how we performed and what we achieved, defeating powerful teams like Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan,” said club CEO Valanka Alemao.
Valanka has a point. Churchill Brothers took everyone by surprise last season and will hope for a repeat of the same this season too after their team was stripped bare. They have had to start afresh now with none of the starting eleven players available.
Captain Suraj, goalkeeper Ricardo Cardozo and Pankaj Sona were there last year too but hardly got a game. Israil Gurung and Alber Gonsalves have I-League experience and must shoulder greater responsibilities. Of course, once the entire foreign contingent arrives, the team will sport an entirely different look. And at the end of it all, the fans will be hoping they can remember their names long after they have left the club.
The Team: Ricardo Cardozo, James Kithan, Emuejeraye Precious (Singapore), Osagie Monday (Nigeria), Suraj (captain), Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, Rahul Kumar, Yendrembam Meitei, Peter Omoduemuke (Nigeria), Israil Gurung, Alber Gonsalves, Visalie Mezhu, Karthik Govindswamy, Eric Obinna (Nigeria), Din Van Ta (Vietnam), Pankaj Sona, Franko Paul, Uttam Rai; Officials: Mykola Shevchenko (coach), Alfredo Fernandes (assistant coach), Danzie Ferrao (manager), John George (physiotherapist).
The Ukrainian, now coach of Churchill Brothers Sports Club, spent a year each at Churchill and Dempo Sports Club at the turn of the century, but unlike the great foreign players of the past at both clubs, his name doesn’t really ring a bell.
At Churchill, he was part of the 1999-2000 squad that finished second to Mohun Bagan in the National Football League (NFL), but that squad had such bright Goan talent – Francis Silveira, Marcus Carvalho, Rocky Barreto, Danzie Ferrao, now manager – that the foreigners were easily overshadowed. Anyone remembers Andriy Malchevsky, or even Oscar Hunda?
At Dempo, it was equally unimpressive as Shevchenko was part of the squad that failed to qualify for the NFL in 2000-01.
“I am returning to Churchill Brothers after 17 years. That’s a long time but I can see that the passion for the game (from the family) has remained unchanged,” Shevchenko told reporters during his unveiling in Margao last week.
What has changed, surely, is Churchill’s team profile. Churchill has imported some of the best foreign players to ply their trade in India, but if you look at the team roster for this season, names like Emuejeraye Precious (Singapore) and Osagie Monday (Nigeria), the two confirmed signings so far, doesn’t appear to be in the same bracket. Three others, including two Nigerians and a Brazilian with Vietnamese passport, are on their way, as most hopes are pinned this year on the foreign contingent.
“I’ve not had too much time with this team but what we lack in talent, we can more than make up with sheer motivation. We are motivated. With good motivation and discipline, you can beat the best of teams,” said the Ukrainian coach.
Churchill, former I-League champions, will need plenty of motivation. In the Goa Pro League, the team has been struggling, losing to Vasco Sports Club 1-4 in their last clash, before heading to Shillong for their I-League opener against Shillong Lajong FC on Saturday.
“What did everyone say about this team last year? That we are not the Churchill Brothers of old, but everyone saw how we performed and what we achieved, defeating powerful teams like Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan,” said club CEO Valanka Alemao.
Valanka has a point. Churchill Brothers took everyone by surprise last season and will hope for a repeat of the same this season too after their team was stripped bare. They have had to start afresh now with none of the starting eleven players available.
Captain Suraj, goalkeeper Ricardo Cardozo and Pankaj Sona were there last year too but hardly got a game. Israil Gurung and Alber Gonsalves have I-League experience and must shoulder greater responsibilities. Of course, once the entire foreign contingent arrives, the team will sport an entirely different look. And at the end of it all, the fans will be hoping they can remember their names long after they have left the club.
The Team: Ricardo Cardozo, James Kithan, Emuejeraye Precious (Singapore), Osagie Monday (Nigeria), Suraj (captain), Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, Rahul Kumar, Yendrembam Meitei, Peter Omoduemuke (Nigeria), Israil Gurung, Alber Gonsalves, Visalie Mezhu, Karthik Govindswamy, Eric Obinna (Nigeria), Din Van Ta (Vietnam), Pankaj Sona, Franko Paul, Uttam Rai; Officials: Mykola Shevchenko (coach), Alfredo Fernandes (assistant coach), Danzie Ferrao (manager), John George (physiotherapist).
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