 MBC.com had a very intimate chat with the Player of the Season Eduardo
Chacon Coelho de Lacerda – our very own DU … here are some of
the excerpts…
:: Tell us something about the
currently concluded season :
Well, I must say we had quite a good season this year. We lost the second
place by just one point. In fact, had we altered the results of 2 close
games, we might have won the championship this year !
:: There was a stage when we had
just 5 points out of seven games. And then suddenly we found ourselves in
the title race . How did this become possible ?
All credit goes to Bishuda ! He is simply a great man. He is like a father
and friend to all players. He goes and talks to all players individually.
He understands their problems. He knows how to bring out the best in his
players. He has united the whole team.
Earlier, the team was divided into small groups. There was lack of unity.
The coach couldn’t understand our problem. Excessive stress was given on
physical training.
But Bishuda changed it all. He instilled in us new confidence and belief.
He brought all of us together. Now, even when we had our runs or drills,
we used to chat freely with one and all.
He was loved so much by all the players, that we all were ready to give
200 % for the coach. See, even when we were without several key players,
like against Mahindra or JCT, we won. And on the Md.Sporting match, the
coach told us – please win the match for me ! And we all were ready to do
anything to win the match for Bishuda.
:: Coming to Coffi and Ibrahim, how
did Bishuda change these two players all of a sudden ?
(Du with Bishuda and Dharamjit)
Bishuda is a great coach. He individually called up Coffi and Ibrahim, and
asked them where they themselves would like to play. Ibrahim told him that
he likes his position as a withdrawn forward and Coffi explained his
winger talents. Then, Bishuda made us practice in that formation and we
bore results.
:: From 5 points in 7 matches to the
3rd in the Championship… How does it feel ?
 Oh, its great ! At the start of the season, we all were very crestfallen.
I used to discuss with Mehtab and Mehraj that we will again have to fight
for relegation. Our spirits were pretty low, and none of us could charge
ourselves up. Then under Bishuda, we underwent a complete transformation,
and then suddenly after the two consecutive victories, our confidence
level went sky high. We believed that we could make it to the top, all the
players shed off their lethargy and combined as complete unit, and we
almost made it to the first position !
:: It was a relatively new defence
line for Mohun Bagan this year, with quite a few youngsters. Firoz, Maria
, Subhashish, Manas were newly teaming up with you and Mehraj leading the
defence line. Inspite of this, Mohun Bagan conceded the least number of
goals in the tournament(10). How did you make this possible ?
Well this was all the result of an excellent teamwork. Me, Maria, Firoz,
Mehraj all gave our best for the team. We knew exactly what the other was
to do. When I went upfront, Mehraj or Firoz was there to cover me up and
vice versa. And Maria is a very strong man. You can always bank on this
guy ! And then of course we had with us our Mistu ! (Subrata Pal), he is
an amazing guy …
(at this point of time, Mistu -
Subrata Pal calls up Du)
::Du, you scored 4 goals this year
and won 5 man of the matches. Which out of all them were the best ones ?
Oh, the goal against Air India I think was a good one… and the JCT one
wasn’t bad either (laughs) … Above all I am happy that I could help my
team get some real valuable points. If you consider the matches, I think
both the matches against Sporting Clube de Goa were great and very crucial
for us. In the Air India match, the African defender in Air India did not
mark me during the goal and that helped me, he went and marked Sushil. A
short stature defender marked me and that helped to see the ball and the
ball came to such a height that it was very comfortable for me to head in.
Regarding the JCT goal, I had to jump a lot. I really liked the picture
which was published somewhere of me jumping to score the goal !
(Mistu Calls)
:: Who do you think was the best
Indian player and who according to you would be the best foreigner (apart
from Du himself of course !) in this edition of the National League
 Oh, Baichung ! He is the best Indian player without any doubt. In fact
some times his skills make me feel that he is a foreign player !
Amongst the foreigners, I would rate Barreto and Yakubu at the top . They
were a deadly combination and could wreck havoc everywhere .
:: Ok… now lets look into the build
up for the team for the next season … I don’t think we need to tell you
that we are building a formidable team… What are your comments ?
Well, as everybody knows by now, we are having a great team this year.
It’s a great feeling for me to play with my fellow Brazilian – Barreto !
With Deepak beside me & Mehraj, and Barreto upfront, we will be the envy
of all other teams. We have many fast medios in Tomba, Dharam, Mehtab,
Subhas.. we have other good forwards too in Lalampuia… Plus , the
officials are in talk with another star footballer from Calcutta … If we
get them, no one can stop us … Lets see what happens…
:: Lets pick up on the World Cup
fever, I wont ask you who the champions will be ( a pretty rhetorical
question that I think), I am asking you who , according to you might be
the runners up ?
Ha Ha !!! Well, I think England .. They have a great chance. John Terry is
a great defender and if Rooney gets fit, they have a great chance. My
personal favourite player is none other than Ronaldinho and I think
Ronaldo with his loads of experience will be the highest scorer.
:: Du, what has Calcutta given to
you in these couple of years ?
Calcutta has given me a lot ! I really love this city , its ambience, its
people everything. They way people love me and chant for me is simply
great ! A few days ago, Shankya Roy Choudhury (ex MB player) invited me
for dinner. The hospitality I received was simply amazing, she treated me
just liker her own son ! Calcutta
reminds of Brazil. Everybody here are supporters of Brazil, and I really
feel like playing before home fans over here !
:: Any message that you want to
leave for the fans ?
Mohun Bagan fans, I want to thank you ! You have stayed with us throughout
all bad weather. Now its our turn to bring
(Du having an informal chat with
MBC.Com)
 in the good times. We promise
to win more trophies next year. But please be patient. We are building a
great team, please don’t hope for big victories from the very start,
please give us some time to settle down, and then I promise we will set
the turf ablaze ! Be with us
:: Du, now coming to another big
event - Your wedding ceremony ! First of all, Many Many
Congratulations to You and Grasiella for your 15th July wedding from the
entire fraternity of Mohun Bagan fans .. .. Would you mind sharing
something about this with us …
Well, Grasiella is my life ! When I first met her, I knew she was mine . I
love her from the core of my heart. And 15th July is going to be the most
important day of my life ! I am going to tie the knot with the other half
of my soul … Am I a little nervous ? Ha ha yes .. a little bit . But I
know that I love her thoroughly , I understand her feelings, and she
understands
(Du's longing look at his would be
wife ...)
mine … we suit each other perfectly ..
Through mohunbaganclub.com, I would live to tell my love :
Grasiella ! I have waited for this day throughout my life !!! I will be
with you in a few days !
Thanks a lot Du for your time , and
All The Best Wishes to you and Grasiella for your forthcoming marriage !
Have a great time ….
(Du leaves for Brazil on Friday,
26th early Morning and will be back by the first week of August. Keep your
eye on MohunBaganClub.com for some exclusive pics from Brazil from the
auspicious occasion of the marriage of our favourite hero! )
May 2006. An MBC.com Exclusive Presentation.
(Du with MBC.com members
displaying his MoM cheque from JCT match)
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