Mumbai: DSK Shivajians are set to embark on a great journey in Indian football, as they prepare themselves to take on Sporting Clube de Goa in their first match of the 2016 Durand Cup, in New Delhi.
The Pune-based side have had a forgetful first season in the I-League, finishing bottom of the table. However, DSK now have a new manager in the form of Englishman Dave Rogers.
The Liverpool-born former centreback has a lot of experience in top-level European football, winning the League of Ireland Championship thrice in four seasons.
The 41-year-old has also been a youth coach at the Liverpool International Academy – DSK Shivajians. The time he has spent identifying promising young players like Lallianzuala Chhangte could be a huge bonus for the club, who are on the brink of a new chapter in Indian football.
Rogers spoke ahead of his side’s first game in this 128-year-old competition. Here are the excerpts from the conversation.
Q: What is the atmosphere in your dressing room, before playing in a 128-year-old competition for the first time?
A: The atmosphere has been fantastic. The players have adapted well, done everything we have asked them to during the pre-season.
We have a good squad, which is balanced between youth and experienced players, all of who gel together and work together. The players have shown a real appetite and have achieved the team spirit by working together.
Q: How do you plan on dealing with a tough opposition like Sporting Clube de Goa in your first match?
A: I want the players to go out and express themselves. After a tough pre-season, we are now coming into competitive games and want players to go enjoy their football. We also want them to take the brand (of) football we (are) instilling in them and play with no fear.
Q: What is your target for the Durand Cup?
A: We want boys to take it one match at a time and see where it takes them at the end of the tournament. We will be playing tough opposition. We don't look too far ahead and keep working hard like we taught the players in training.
Q: How different do you find your responsibilities as a manager, when compared to that of your former role as a youth team coach?
A: The role is not much different. I have the same roles and responsibilities, only I am dealing with senior players now. This is exciting because I can implement the same idea at the senior level and across the club.
The players have enjoyed it. They smile throughout the training session, which means that we are doing something right.
Q: How difficult do you think, it is for a player to make the jump from the junior to the professional levels?
A: It is not too difficult if they are guided and trained in right way from a young age, like we do it at the Liverpool FC International Academy - DSK Shivajians. What young players need is proper infrastructure and coaching from when they start playing as kids.
Q: How important a role will your home-grown players play in your squad?
A: It is of vital importance. It won't be any good having an academy if none of the home grown players make it to the first team.
We need to send out a message, that only with the right infrastructure, policies, and programme, starting from grassroots and a plan in place which outlines clear pathway for players to first team squad, we can ensure proper development of our home grown players.
Q: How would DSK's relegation-immunity affect your team’s performance?
A: We will try and win every game. The players I have and the ones I bring in, they know that every game we play, we play for victory. Relegation immunity will have no impact on work rate, passion and desire of my players.
Q: DSK had a difficult first season in the I-League. Where do you expect your side to finish this year?
A: We take each game as it comes. We have a winning mentality, and we go into every game positive with an aim of winning it. And then, we see where it takes us at the end of the season.
