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The Schedule is Exhausting For Players - Dempo & India U-23 striker Joaquim Abranches
The Goan boy speaks about the troubles faced by an Indian striker...
29-Nov-2009 1:57:50 PM
Joaquim Abranches has been one of the most promising talents around in Indian football and has earned only his third call-up to the national camp over the last four years or so.
"In 2005, I was called once by Nayeemuddin and I also played the pre-Olympics qualifier under Bob Houghton back in 2006," said Abranches.
Not many would believe that as a kid, the Dempo SC striker played as a stopper back!
"It was only when I was playing in the inter-village tournaments in Goa that I decided to play as a striker."
And since then, there has been no looking back. He joined Santacruz club, a second division side from Goa, for a year and thereafter was part of the junior teams of Salcette and Vasco SC for a combined period of three years.
"I was spotted by Churchill Brothers when I was towards the end of my teens and I played for them in the Goa League. The following season, Dempo showed an interest and it's been four a half years with them."
It's often seen that players, who play as a center forward, have to be versatile enough to play from the wings as well as very often in their bid to play, the players compromise their original position; given the five foreign players being allowed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), in what can be termed as one of the most disastrous decisions ever taken.
"There's no option for Indian strikers but to adjust and make the most of the opportunities that come their way," said Abranches who plays on the right wing for the SAFF Cup side.
The 24 year old also mentioned that it's high time that the schedule of the tournaments are planned as it shall aid the players.
"The schedule is usually so crammed that as a player, you can do nothing about it. You have to play the I-League and after not even 48 hours rest, comes a state league game. As a player, you do get a little exhausted. Personally, I feel that there must be proper spacing between matches especially by those concerned as it's an essential."
On being asked about the team's chances in the SAFF Cup, Abranches believes that the absence of any pressure on them in a blessing in disguise.
"All players we have are good. The camp is going well. It's time for us to perform. The lack of pressure will work for us."
Stats:
Ht - 175 cm
Wt- 70 kg
DOB: 28/10/1985
"In 2005, I was called once by Nayeemuddin and I also played the pre-Olympics qualifier under Bob Houghton back in 2006," said Abranches.
Not many would believe that as a kid, the Dempo SC striker played as a stopper back!
"It was only when I was playing in the inter-village tournaments in Goa that I decided to play as a striker."
And since then, there has been no looking back. He joined Santacruz club, a second division side from Goa, for a year and thereafter was part of the junior teams of Salcette and Vasco SC for a combined period of three years.
"I was spotted by Churchill Brothers when I was towards the end of my teens and I played for them in the Goa League. The following season, Dempo showed an interest and it's been four a half years with them."
It's often seen that players, who play as a center forward, have to be versatile enough to play from the wings as well as very often in their bid to play, the players compromise their original position; given the five foreign players being allowed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), in what can be termed as one of the most disastrous decisions ever taken.
"There's no option for Indian strikers but to adjust and make the most of the opportunities that come their way," said Abranches who plays on the right wing for the SAFF Cup side.
The 24 year old also mentioned that it's high time that the schedule of the tournaments are planned as it shall aid the players.
"The schedule is usually so crammed that as a player, you can do nothing about it. You have to play the I-League and after not even 48 hours rest, comes a state league game. As a player, you do get a little exhausted. Personally, I feel that there must be proper spacing between matches especially by those concerned as it's an essential."
On being asked about the team's chances in the SAFF Cup, Abranches believes that the absence of any pressure on them in a blessing in disguise.
"All players we have are good. The camp is going well. It's time for us to perform. The lack of pressure will work for us."
Stats:
Ht - 175 cm
Wt- 70 kg
DOB: 28/10/1985
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