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I-League: East Bengal’s Hammond Expects African Nations To Shine In 2010 World Cup
Goal.com caught up with the in-form Ghanaian….
22-Nov-2009 11:38:55 PM
Abel Hammond has made a terrific start to his East Bengal
career having scored four goals in as many games which has helped the Kolkata
giants move upto sixth place in the table.
The 24 year old had a decent season with Mumbai FC last term but admits that the passion for the beautiful game in Kolkata has impressed him and so he is enjoying his time at the City of Joy.
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “I was happy playing for Mumbai FC last season but playing in Kolkata has been a whole new experience for me.
“The passion in Kolkata is massive and there is pressure on players to perform, which wasn’t the case in Mumbai. Being a footballer, you like when there is pressure so I relish that aspect.
“It is also nice to play in front of a big crowd so I am really enjoying playing in Kolkata.”
Last season at Mumbai FC, Hammond was mostly used on the right wing by David Booth, however at East Bengal he has operated upfront.
The Ghanaian finds no problem playing on the flanks but admits that he prefers the forward position.
“Last season I often played on the wing because the coach (David Booth) wanted me to. As a player you have to adapt to every situation so I didn’t face any problems.
“Here at East Bengal, its good that I am playing as a striker because all my life I have played in that position so I find it easier.”
Hammond is also happy to be playing alongside fellow countrymen Yusif Yakubu, whose presence made it easier for him to settle in Kolkata
“Yakubu is a great player. He has played for a long time in India so he knows how things work here. Both on and off the pitch he offers me advice and the fact that I am his roommate also helped me to settle here.
He then talked about his team’s chances and his own targets for the season.
“We have been playing well as we won three games in a row in the I-League but we don’t want to think too far now and take one game a time.
“There are other tournaments now so we are focusing on that and hoping to get good results there.”
Hammond is also looking ahead to 2010 FIFA World Cup which will be held in South Africa next summer and expects all the African countries to do well.
“2010 will be a big year for African football as the World Cup will be held there for the very first time. Ghana were the first African team to qualify for it so that showed how strong they are nowadays.
“But even the other five countries are good teams and so I expect all the African nations to do well in the tournament."
Outside football, Hammond enjoys watching Bollywood movies but doesn’t recall names of any actor or actress.
“I really enjoy watching Bollywood movies. It is very entertaining but don’t ask me names because I can’t remember them,” he concluded with a smile.
Amoy Ghoshal
The 24 year old had a decent season with Mumbai FC last term but admits that the passion for the beautiful game in Kolkata has impressed him and so he is enjoying his time at the City of Joy.
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “I was happy playing for Mumbai FC last season but playing in Kolkata has been a whole new experience for me.
“The passion in Kolkata is massive and there is pressure on players to perform, which wasn’t the case in Mumbai. Being a footballer, you like when there is pressure so I relish that aspect.
“It is also nice to play in front of a big crowd so I am really enjoying playing in Kolkata.”
Last season at Mumbai FC, Hammond was mostly used on the right wing by David Booth, however at East Bengal he has operated upfront.
The Ghanaian finds no problem playing on the flanks but admits that he prefers the forward position.
“Last season I often played on the wing because the coach (David Booth) wanted me to. As a player you have to adapt to every situation so I didn’t face any problems.
“Here at East Bengal, its good that I am playing as a striker because all my life I have played in that position so I find it easier.”
Hammond is also happy to be playing alongside fellow countrymen Yusif Yakubu, whose presence made it easier for him to settle in Kolkata
“Yakubu is a great player. He has played for a long time in India so he knows how things work here. Both on and off the pitch he offers me advice and the fact that I am his roommate also helped me to settle here.
He then talked about his team’s chances and his own targets for the season.
“We have been playing well as we won three games in a row in the I-League but we don’t want to think too far now and take one game a time.
“There are other tournaments now so we are focusing on that and hoping to get good results there.”
Hammond is also looking ahead to 2010 FIFA World Cup which will be held in South Africa next summer and expects all the African countries to do well.
“2010 will be a big year for African football as the World Cup will be held there for the very first time. Ghana were the first African team to qualify for it so that showed how strong they are nowadays.
“But even the other five countries are good teams and so I expect all the African nations to do well in the tournament."
Outside football, Hammond enjoys watching Bollywood movies but doesn’t recall names of any actor or actress.
“I really enjoy watching Bollywood movies. It is very entertaining but don’t ask me names because I can’t remember them,” he concluded with a smile.
Amoy Ghoshal
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