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I-League: Hooligan Acts Might Discourage Players From Joining Kolkata Clubs - Churchill's Gouramangi Singh
The Indian international condemned the hooligan acts..
14-Jan-2010 10:56:36 PM
At the end of round nine,
defending champions Churchill Brothers dropped to fourth place. However they
are only one point behind the league leaders and so defender Gouramangi Singh
feels nothing has been won or lost yet.
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “There is still a long way to go in the I-League. We are not at the top currently but we are not far away also. Only nine rounds have been played so far therefore there is a long way to go.”
He looked back on their 2-2 draw with Mohun Bagan and opined that one point away from home against the Mariners is a very good result.
“Mohun Bagan and Churchill have been the two most consistent teams in recent times. We played them in two finals, Super Cup and had a close fight in the I-League last year.
“So we knew that it would be difficult to play against them in Kolkata. I think we put in a good fight and in the end came home with an important point.”
Gouramangi also gave his opinion about the hooligan acts that took place after the match and explained how it is a bad advertisement for Kolkata football.
“What happened after the match against Mohun Bagan should not happen in any sport. The security was not doing their job which encouraged the hooligans to continue with their mischief.
“This is not the first time that this has happened in Kolkata if it continues players will not be willing to play there. This season we have seen players like Sunil Chhetri and Anwar joining Goan clubs and one big reason for that is you will never see such hooligan acts in Goa.”
The defender also gave his opinion about the controversy in which three Churchill players were held up in a Mumbai police station on molestation charges last week.
“We know very well that the three players didn’t do any crime. Before the game against Mohun Bagan all the players supported Odafa and told him to give an answer on the pitch. And that’s what he did by scoring two goals so we all want to react to that controversy by winning football matches.”
Gouramangi has been playing continuously for both club and country. When asked on whether he is getting burned out, the Manipuri referred to a world famous footballer to give his answer.
“Recently I read an interview of Andres Iniesta where he said that he gets disappointed when rested. He said he relishes playing every match for both club and country.
“So when a footballer of the highest level says it is possible there is no reason why I should complain of playing continuously. I love playing every match and even I get frustrated when I have to miss out from the action.”
Churchill have an AFC Champions League playoff in February but the Indian international stated that he and the rest of his teammates are not thinking about that competition at present.
Their sole focus is on the remaining four matches after which the I-League takes a break. He looked ahead to their next match against Sporting Clube de Goa and said that it is going to be a tough game.
“The AFC Champions League is going to be a big occasion but for now we are only concentrating on the upcoming four matches in the I-League.
“Our next match against Sporting will be a difficult one. They are at the bottom of the table so they will fight extra hard and of course it is a Goan derby so we have to be at our very best,” the 24 year old concluded.
The match will take place on Saturday, 16th January at Fatorda Stadium, Goa.
Amoy Ghoshal
For more onChurchill Brothers , please visit our Churchill Brothers page!
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “There is still a long way to go in the I-League. We are not at the top currently but we are not far away also. Only nine rounds have been played so far therefore there is a long way to go.”
He looked back on their 2-2 draw with Mohun Bagan and opined that one point away from home against the Mariners is a very good result.
“Mohun Bagan and Churchill have been the two most consistent teams in recent times. We played them in two finals, Super Cup and had a close fight in the I-League last year.
“So we knew that it would be difficult to play against them in Kolkata. I think we put in a good fight and in the end came home with an important point.”
Gouramangi also gave his opinion about the hooligan acts that took place after the match and explained how it is a bad advertisement for Kolkata football.
“What happened after the match against Mohun Bagan should not happen in any sport. The security was not doing their job which encouraged the hooligans to continue with their mischief.
“This is not the first time that this has happened in Kolkata if it continues players will not be willing to play there. This season we have seen players like Sunil Chhetri and Anwar joining Goan clubs and one big reason for that is you will never see such hooligan acts in Goa.”
The defender also gave his opinion about the controversy in which three Churchill players were held up in a Mumbai police station on molestation charges last week.
“We know very well that the three players didn’t do any crime. Before the game against Mohun Bagan all the players supported Odafa and told him to give an answer on the pitch. And that’s what he did by scoring two goals so we all want to react to that controversy by winning football matches.”
Gouramangi has been playing continuously for both club and country. When asked on whether he is getting burned out, the Manipuri referred to a world famous footballer to give his answer.
“Recently I read an interview of Andres Iniesta where he said that he gets disappointed when rested. He said he relishes playing every match for both club and country.
“So when a footballer of the highest level says it is possible there is no reason why I should complain of playing continuously. I love playing every match and even I get frustrated when I have to miss out from the action.”
Churchill have an AFC Champions League playoff in February but the Indian international stated that he and the rest of his teammates are not thinking about that competition at present.
Their sole focus is on the remaining four matches after which the I-League takes a break. He looked ahead to their next match against Sporting Clube de Goa and said that it is going to be a tough game.
“The AFC Champions League is going to be a big occasion but for now we are only concentrating on the upcoming four matches in the I-League.
“Our next match against Sporting will be a difficult one. They are at the bottom of the table so they will fight extra hard and of course it is a Goan derby so we have to be at our very best,” the 24 year old concluded.
The match will take place on Saturday, 16th January at Fatorda Stadium, Goa.
Amoy Ghoshal
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