Goa: Lenny Rodrigues, who signed a two-year contract expansion with his FC Goa, is determined to make the upcoming Indian Super League season count which starts on November 20. Born in Verna, Lenny feels FC Goa is the best-suited club for him and hopes to deliver on the field.
“I have played for many clubs in India, but FC Goa is a suitable club for me,” Lenny told Sportslight Media in an exclusive interaction.”I am very happy I am playing in Goa it is my home club and my family is close to me and all the people, the atmosphere, the stadium is very good and I extended this contract because I love FC Goa, the fans, the style of play, and this made me very much happy to sign the new contract extension.”
Starting as a professional footballer at just 17 with Fransa-Pax, Lenny had a spell with Salgaocar and has also played for Churchill Brothers. He also turned up for played for Mohun Bagan in the I-League. The 33-year-old has also plied his trade for Pune City FC and Bengaluru FC.
Asked how FC Goa’s style was different and whether it suited him or not, he said, “I also keep the ball and I am a ball-player, so I want to keep the ball and also I am defending so I love this style of play and just what I had done before, the last and also the one before last season I want to give my better for this season also.” With a kind of player who has strong passing skills, be that long or short-range passes, it allows him the transition from defence to attack.
The Gaurs will be playing in the AFC Champions League for the first time and speaking about the tournament, Lenny said, “I am very much happy that we qualified for AFC Champions League. But right now I am not thinking about the AFC Champions League as that is a long way to go, so we are now preparing for the ISL which will be starting in another one week.”
Joining FC Goa in the 2018-19 season, Lenny has been an integral part of the team since then. He started all the matches for the Gaurs and also became one of the top five passers in the Indian super league. He had the highest recorded passing accuracy amongst the Indian players.
This year many new players have joined FC Goa. “We have very good signings this season, and I am very excited to play not only with one player, I don’t want to name, but all the players are the same. I am excited to play with all the players, and hoping for the competition to give our best and win matches,” he said.
As the recent scenario goes, the pandemic has hit everyone differently, even all the players. The tournament got postponed. Asked about the team atmosphere, he replied, “I think it’s difficult for everyone, but as a team, we are all together and giving our best in every training season, so it’s not that much. The way our medical staff, the coaches and we are all together and ready for the challenge of the upcoming season.”
It is known that the fans are extra support and motivation for their team. This year all the games are to be played behind closed doors, keeping in mind the safety and health of everybody.
Asked whether this is going to be a disadvantage he said, “Without fans, it’s very difficult because football is played with fans and the atmosphere of the stadium is very good. All the teams will be missing their supporters. Bit for me, we are playing in Goa so it will be a huge disadvantage for us also. Most of the players are from Goa so they will be missing the fans.”
