Mahesh Gawli points out the absence of experienced, assertive players as one of the reasons for Dempo Sports Club relegation in I-League 2015. “The team was filled with youngsters. I did not see any leader among them, a player able to take control of the game. In the matches I saw, there was no one in the squad with that special quality.”
The former India defender and one of the pillars in the Dempo backline in an era when the club set the standard for performance and trophies, was trying to come to terms with his team’s relegation to the second division.
Full-time coach Goa’s most successful team lost to Salgaocar 2-0 on Saturday, ending 10th among the 11 teams. Gawli is now full-time coach, gaining AFC ‘C’ Licence recently and his next aim is the UEFA Licence from Germany.
Gawli said: “At one time, other clubs were scared of facing us due to the way we played and won. We had leaders on the field, Beto, Ranti (Martins), Climax (Lawrence), Samir (Naik). The way they controlled play was amazing.”
Gawli, who was equally effective as an attacking midfielder on overlapping runs, said: “The environment around the team was different then. We had a marvellous coach in Armando Colaco, best foreigners in Beto and Ranti.
“A majority of the locals were Goans, many of us also playing for India seniors same time, so the cohesion was natural.”
Gawli was registered with Dempo till last season, but did not play due to injury. “Having seen the players in matches and training, I found them playing a different formation and ball possession was not their style. The change of coaches also confused the youngsters.”
Dempo changed coaches mid-way as Arthur Papas went and Trevor Morgan was drafted in.
Strain Dempo’s current bunch was also on the FC Goa squad under Brazilian legend Zico, displaying flair and match temperament in the Indian Super League. Asked about the reason behind almost the same group struggling to make headway in the I-League under a different coach, he reasoned that the strain of playing many matches in ISL denied the players time to recover in time for the I-League.
Five-time I-League winner Dempo now moves down to the second division. “Every team wants to get promoted, fight like madmen on the field. First Division is far easier. After relegation, I feel Dempo will start fresh, work with a new group of players.”
He concluded: “I hope the youngsters who play for Dempo don’t get carried away by form in one or two matches.
“Young players think they have achieved everything after a couple of good displays. We worked hard to become a champion team. The pride of wearing Dempo jersey made us work harder to stay at the top.”
Jackichand is best player
T. Jackichand Singh of Royal Wahingdoh Football Club has been named the ‘Best player’ of the I-League. The pacy winger — who scored five goals this season — played a key role in his side’s thirdplace finish. The AIFF also announced awards of Rs. 70 lakh, Rs. 40 lakh, Rs. 25 lakh, Rs. 15 lakh for the top-four I-League clubs respectively. Individual awards:
Best player: T. Jackichand Singh (Royal Wahingdoh); Best striker: Ranti Martins (East Bengal); Best midfielder: Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Bengaluru FC); Best defender: Bello Rasaq (Mohun Bagan); Best goalkeeper: Debjit Majumder (Mohun Bagan).
