The season didn’t start well for Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), as a result of a controversial disqualification from Asian competition. But domestically, they have been on a different level, winning the ISL League Shield with a record points tally and going from behind in a tense and titanic ISL Cup semi-final against Jamshedpur FC. Subhasish Bose has led from the front all campaign, and he talks to RevSportz’s editor-in-chief, Boria Majumdar, about this magnificent season and the final step that lies ahead.
Boria: First, the League Shield and now the ISL final, which will turn out to be a historic double under your captaincy. What is the story behind this consistency of the team under your leadership?
Subhasish Bose: Thank you. I would like to say the team bonding and winning mentality. Starting right from the owner Sanjeev Goenka, the coaching staff, the physio, the masseur, the management, the players, and everybody else associated has a winning mentality. Every time we meet, Sanjeev Goenka meets us with a smile on his face and provides us with the enthusiasm to win. Even after the semi-final when we met, he told us that there is just one more step, then the trophy would be all ours. So, the overall atmosphere of the team has a winning mentality and I think that is the reason behind our consistent good performance.
Boria: The incident that recently happened with a fan in Jamshedpur. Jamie Maclaren and Dimitri Petratos during an interview with me were heard saying that they now wanted to win for the fans. Did you feel any similar extra urge to play and win for the fans after that incident?
Subhasish: Our fans have got harassed time and again when we have played in Jamshedpur. And yes, after coming to know that fans have got hurt, there definitely was a sense of motivation to win it for them. They make time out of their busy schedule and travel for the away matches, so we had to win this match at home for the ardent fans and make them smile.
Boria: Our correspondent Rahul was there at the field and he had interviewed the fan who got hurt. We came to know that the boy that day went straight to the ground from his father’s funeral. He went to the ground thinking about and remembering his father (who was a big Mohun Bagan fan himself) and how happy he would have been to see Mohun Bagan win. What do you have to say about this?
Subhasish: I have heard this interview in your page, where he quoted that he first came to the ground holding his father’s hand, so he could not have missed this match or miss showing his support for Mohun Bagan when his father is not there anymore. And yes, it is very touching to see the emotional connect Mariners have with their fans. I think we are blessed to get this kind of support, and this is one of the main reasons behind our success.
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“Mohun Bagan is Home!” Skipper Subhashish Bose on the historic double dream & ISL Final! @ShrachiSports @BoriaMajumdar @MohunBaganHub @mohunbagansg @Mohun_Bagan @MbcOfficial @Marinerskerala #MohunBagan #ISLFinal #IndianFootball #Mariners… pic.twitter.com/LB0I12VTSQ
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Boria: Having players from the World Cup and other players who are world-famous and successful , it is a special thing to have a Bengali as the captain of Mohun Bagan. How do you feel about it?
Subhasish: I’m always proud to be born as a Bengali. I have related to Mohan Bagan since my childhood when I used to go to the ground with my father to watch their matches. It used to be a dream to play for Mohun Bagan and today I am leading that team, so every moment is special for me now. I really want every match to be memorable for me. I always give my best and try to motivate the team so that they are also able to give their best. I try to make them understand the importance of winning the matches here, and I hope I can continue providing such good results with the team.
Boria: Last year’s Subhasish and this year’s Subhasish. I have not seen you hitting these many goals. What is the story behind this sudden excellent improvement?
Subhasish: I would like to say I was in the good position in the ground to hit those goals. Getting a good delivery, a beneficial position in a particular moment and, and getting the ball near to the goal post has all cumulatively helped me to hit so many goals. I love to see that I am progressing and developing every year, and I want to keep doing this in my coming days. And of course, the support and freedom that I get from coach [Jose] Molina is a main reason. The freedom he has provided in the set pieces has also helped in a big way.
Boria: The way coach Molina has transformed and prepared the team right from the time when things were tough during Durand Cup is excellent. What is the specialty of coach Molina?
Subhasish: The main thing is the way he does the man management and keeps the dressing room happy. Every player we have got here is world-class and can go into the 11. So, his game plans, tactics, shuffling players to get them out at the right time, guiding us on when to be defensive, choosing game-changers like he did with Dimitri in that Odisha match – all plays a very crucial role in our constant development.
Boria: When I asked Jamie (MacLaren) about his memorable moment playing for Mohan Bagan, he did not mention the goal in the derby against East Bengal. He instead told me that he was happy when Dimi (Dimitri Petratos) was able to hit the goal against Odisha and make Mohun Bagan win the match. After struggling for a year with his performance, he was happy Dimi’s contribution made MB win. Is it the secret behind Mohun Bagan’s wins? Playing and being happy for one another.
Subhasish: There are ups and downs in sports. There are good and bad days for players. But what I feel we have is the belief in each other. We see each other trying to be the best every day in the ground, so I think that really works for us when we see each other playing well and contributing towards the win. And for me, the memorable moment would be winning the Shield and being the best team of the season. It’s great when the hard work of 200 days finally pays off.
Boria: What kind of celebration goes on behind the scenes after such big wins?
Subhasish: It’s a different feeling which I cannot explain. Even the fans all over the world feel it right from the start of the season. We all wait for the celebrations at the end, so somewhere the celebration acts like a motivation for us to win. The feeling is the same for the upcoming match on April 12. Awaiting eagerly for the chance to celebrate and then spending the year with that happiness.
Boria: MB is already the No. 1 in India and there is no doubt about it. I asked Mr Sanjeev Goenka about his plans going forward, where he mentioned his Asian ambition (AFC). Do you have a similar aim?
Subhasish: Yes, that’s part of my aim too. Even last year, we prepared the team and got players for the same but got disqualified. This year, we would want to make a mark on the Asian level so that not just India, the whole world comes to know of MB.
WATCH: Full Interview of Subhasish Bose in Bengali
Boria: Not just winning, but a good performance in the AFC can also make a good name for Mohun Bagan in the Asia level. Do you agree?
Subhasish: Yes, definitely so, playing against players of such stature will give an Indian team a lot of good experience and name. I personally have that belief in the team that we can achieve good result in that level.
Boria: How special was Apuia’s strike against Jamshedpur to you as a fellow Indian while having so many international players in the team?
Subhasish: It was the most important goal of the season I think, because on a semi-final stage, where if the game got dragged for one more minute and led to extra time, we could have conceded. So, it was the most important goal at a crucial stage for us and I are happy about Apuia’s first goal for the club, and hope he keeps striking goals in the same way for us.
Boria: What are your thoughts on Vishal Kaith vs Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu) which in itself is a match inside a match?
Subhasish: They are both very good players and I have played with both. They are playing so well in their own places. Vishal’s performance in the last 2-3 years has been really good, and he has contributed in maintaining clean sheets, so I hope he gets the golden gloves and continues as the best goalkeeper in India.
Boria: Do you think Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru are the best two teams in the final? Is it like a Mohun Bagan- East Bengal duo?
Subhasish: Bengaluru has always given us good competition and fight, and has been near the top for quite a while now. We have played finals against them, so yes, if these two teams are in the final, then we must be the two best teams.
Boria: Words on Sunil (Chhetri). Is he still going strong in his 40s?
Subhasish: I do not think age matters so much when he is striking for his team, performing well in the ground.
Boria: Say something for the fans who screams their voices out is support of MB and also wishes for the upcoming Bengali New Year’s Day.
Subhasish: I would like thank all the Mariner Fans and warriors hugely, and would wish to see you all in the ground for the finals on 12th April, as you fans are our backbone. Would like to celebrate together with you in the ground. And Shubho Noboborsho (Happy Bengali New Year) to all the Bengalis.