Q. What is the one thing that you would like to go back and change in the final of the ISL last season?
Mandar: Well, obviously the result of the game. I thought we had played extremely well and executed our pre match plans. Looking back at the occasion and the amount of support and adoration we received from the fans, I think it would have been fitting to lift the title in front of our fans who had packed the stadium. But it was not to be. We will learn from that going ahead into the future editions.
Q. How does it feel playing under coach Zico and top international players?
Mandar: It’s a great experience. To be able to mix with the best international playing and coaching talent on a daily basis for such a prolonged period makes a big difference. You learn and grow a lot as a player. There is always something to learn from experienced players and when you play with them on a consistent basis, your development as a footballer takes a real boost. And in terms of being coached by Zico, you couldn’t ask for better guidance. He’s such a legend in the game. He’s got a vast amount of knowledge which he selflessly shares with us. While he coaches us to make the best possible decision in a situation, he also gives us the freedom to express ourselves. He’s got such a relaxed demeanour about him; you end up feeling very comfortable around him. It’s a great learning curve for any footballer coming through.
Q. Has the ISL been instrumental in giving your football career a boost?
Mandar: Well, my first entry into the professional football was via Dempo Sports Club. That is where my career took off and I got a chance to develop my skills and play at the highest standard of football in India. What the ISL has done is that, it has allowed the footballing talent in the country to be exposed to a wider audience. And due to influx of foreign players who have played at the very highest levels of the game, the level of competition is higher. That is bound to improve you as a player. So when you get a wider audience base and a greater level of competition, it’s not just me who will benefit but all the players involved.
Q. The ban imposed by AIFF on you do you feel it was justified?
Mandar: I am not in a position to decide if it’s justified or not. I leave that to the AIFF. I can only say that I was disappointed with the amount of time it took for the decision to come through. I went without football for three months and I wasn’t able to take part in any competitive football. In football, there is no substitute for training and match practice so that’s what hurt me the most as a footballer.
Q. How did it feel to captain Goa-India during the 2014 Lusofonia Games?
Mandar: It was a great honour to captain the team. When you are given that sort of responsibility, you are very proud of it and it motivates you to lead by example. But that was two years ago.
Q. In your four appearances you scored once to beat the U-20 team of Mozambique in the final what did it feel like then?
Mandar: We were delighted with our achievement. Obviously the pure elation of winning takes over all the feelings so one doesn’t get time to reflect within the moment itself. It’s only later when things settle down when the feeling of achievement sinks in.
Q. What is your parent’s opinion of your performance? And any history of sports in the family?
Mandar: My parents were very proud of our win. They were very happy with my performance but happier that the team managed to win. They have always kept me grounded and don’t want me to rest on my laurels. My brother Shubham also plays football. He played for Dempo at the junior level and also for Vasco SC in the Goa Pro League.
Q. What is your ambition in life and at what stage will you look at joining international clubs?
Mandar: I believe the scouts and agents of international football clubs decide on which players to recruit and from where. I also believe that will happen when the time is right. For now I will focus on playing for Dempo SC and FC Goa and of course when I’m selected to play for India.
Q. Do you feel that FC Goa will be able to live up to their fans expectations this season? How do you rate FC Goa fans?
Mandar: The fans’ expectation will always be to win the tournament. So to live up to that expectation is a great amount of pressure. But we start the season, that’s what we strive for as well. I can’t give it to you in writing that we will win for sure as that’s not how football works. But we will give it our very best that’s for sure. And coming to the fans, I think they are the most passionate fans I’ve come across in India and we felt that connect in every game that was played at Fatorda this season. So I would rate them up there with the very best.
Q. Is playing for India more challenging than FC Goa?
Mandar: Both are a challenge in themselves. Any individual’s aim is always to play for his nation. It is a true moment of pride when you put on the national team jersey. There is no substitute for that. While India is all about representing the nation and the pressure to perform there is high, FC Goa is like a family. But the pressure here is different because here you want to impress enough to get to the national team and you also want to do well for each other.
