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CCFC have Singaporean Akbar Nawas (who has coached Singapore and Philippines teams) as the head coach this season. He had actually joined the team the previous season mid-way, when things weren’t going great for the team. Akbar says, “We had a pretty decent pre-season but we could play only two friendlies. At present, we are taking it one game at a time to see what we can do. Though we are pretty confident as a team, we can’t be overconfident, too. We also don’t approach home and away games differently; we approach them with the same mentality.”
Talking about the team’s composition, he says, “We had retained a couple of players. Also, we have added some talented local players to the pool. I believe the foreign players coming in doesn’t change the composition, but benefits the team to go to the next level. As far as communication issues are concerned, we have a lot of translation tools available. And, when you are on the field, football is a universal language, so everybody understands what others are trying to do.”
Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, one of the two retained players, says that he can sense a lot of difference in the team now. “There was a lot of confusion in the team in the previous season, but this time around the coach has moulded the members beautifully. I joined the team very late in the pre-season and I was thinking that it would be difficult to gel with the members since the time was very short. But the experience turned out to be different. Unlike the previous season, we have a good relationship with the foreign players now. Though they have played in the bigger leagues, they treat us well and help us with different techniques. The camaraderie is wonderful.”
He adds, “Akbar sir had joined the team mid-way last year; so I knew his way of coaching and technique. He has been implementing strategies that are being followed by professional teams. As local players we are getting to know these techniques. But the foreign players (four Spaniards) have an idea about it, so it is easy for them to adopt these techniques.”
Regin Michael, the captain of team, says that it is a huge opportunity for the local players to work with a foreign coach like Akbar. “The style of football he teaches and the energy he has infused into the side is great. The young players tell me that every day they are getting to learn something new from the coach. So, it has given the team a huge boost. I think the coach has implemented the strategy that the Manchester City follows. He hasn’t said anyone that this is the style, but as players we think it is similar to the style of Pep Guardiola. I also think we have an extremely strong team; the bench strength is very strong. Hence we need not worry about a player getting injured.”
The present captain Regin is the elder brother of Soosairaj, who was the captain in the previous league. (Soosairaj is currently representing Jamshedpur FC in ISL). Regin says that he will face the pressure of performing in every match. “Since Soosai has such a great reputation, fans expect a lot more from me. Also, it is never easy getting back to play after an injury that kept me out of the game for two years. I was surprised when the management decided to give me the captaincy but I will give my best.”
He adds that Soosai always has an emotional connect with CCFC. “Though we play in two different leagues, we share a lot when we get time, about the techniques and strategies. Soosai always has this emotional connect with CCFC, because this is the team that launched him into the ISL. He keeps telling me that he wants the team to perform well,” he adds.
Hero of the match against Indian Arrows, Pedro Manzi from Spain, is excited about playing in India. “I am very happy that I accepted the offer to play in India. I am happy with team, Coimbatore, football in India and the fans here. Though communication is a little difficult (I am still picking up my English), my teammates are very friendly and it feels nice to play with the local players. Our coach has been really helpful in keeping us together as a team.”
“I think the Indian style of playing is completely about attacking while the philosophy of our team is to take the ball, keep possession and attract the opponents and then attack,” he adds.
Manzi says that food is the only thing that he was worried about while taking up the offer. “I struggled a lot in the first week, because the food was spicy. As a Spaniard I found it difficult to put up with food. But we spoke to the chef in the hotel and they are making it less spicy for Spanish players; it is perfect now.”
Talking about the difference between I-league and ISL, Akbar says, “I-league is as competitive as ISL. If you had noticed the Super Cup which happened last year, the I-league teams did pretty well. Once we combine the leagues, I don’t think there will be much of a difference in terms of intensity and competitiveness.”
Seconding his opinion is 26-year-old Edwin. “I think I-league and ISL are equally competitive, but they have promoted ISL as a superior league. Last year’s Super Cup is a proof for that, both I-league and ISL teams performed equally well. The only difference is the foreign recruits- the quality of foreign players is a little higher in ISL than I-league as they are players from bigger teams. But the local players can learn a lot from them.”
Ask Akbar on the complaints about the turf in Coimbatore in the previous season, and he says, “I think the turf can be better, in terms of giving us a smooth playing surface. Hopefully we can get the field to be in a better state, but I understand it takes time. As far as the weather is concerned, now the weather is okay. I hope it doesn’t get hotter,” he laughs.
Regin concludes that Coimbatore crowd has been spectacular in supporting the team both in the past season and in the first match. “This is exactly what a team needs, the backing of their fans. To be honest, we didn’t get this kind of support even in Chennai during our first league. It has been outstanding the way they are supporting us, we want them to support us throughout the season.”
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