PANJIM, MARCH 3
League leaders Salgaocar Sports Club striker Reyuji Seoka and a sensation at the I-League felt that he did not sense a feeling of going down when he turned his back on Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan last year to sign for the green brigade. The diminutive goal scorer’s decision of joining the Goan outfit which had a difficult season was nothing less than curios but it proved very wise for the Japanese forward.
“I have heard lots of things about Salgaocar, that the team had fine pedigree and my belief turned true. We are on the top of the league and what else can a player want? We can go from here and take the title as we have a fantastic chance to do it, so my decision proved right and perfect. I appreciate Mohun Bagan as it’s a big club in India but at the moment, it’s my team that’s on top and I am very happy about it,” Seoka explained. Seoka followed his coach Karim Benchrifa and the Japanese blossomed under the Moroccan trainer to net 14 goals just one less than leading scorer Odafe Okolie of Churchill Brothers.
“It’s very satisfying to get the goals but our coach has the ability to identify the strength of his players, he understands each one of us, he’s an amazing coach and a lovely person. Whenever I feel the need I don’t hesitate to talk to him, I am very pleased to play under him and if I am doing well for my team it gives me immense satisfaction,” Seoka disclosed.
Salgaocar will be facing arch rivals Dempo Sports Club, Churchill Brothers besides Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in the later stages of the league and these four outings could be very crucial for the Goan League leaders but Seoka insists that every match is vital for the former NFL champions. “It’s not that we should look at the bigger games, every match is important for us and we should concentrate on winning the matches, we must concentrate on the next match, take it match by match, try to win and consolidate our position. At the moment we are on the right track and it’s necessary for us to remain focused and maintain the momentum and I am sure my teammates are also thinking on this line,” asserted the experienced Seoka who had plied his trade in Thailand, Singapore and his home country, Japan before coming down to India.
