Rana: Congratulation for winning the inaugural I-League. So how are you feeling?

Abhijit: Thank you! This year we were almost sure that we would be the champions so it was not a surprise to us.

Rana: So this was the 3rd times in 4th consecutive year you have won the title. Which one do you think is the best?

Abhijit: Off course the first one. No one expected that we could recover after the Junior incidence. Even we haven’t thought that we could do it. Sporting Clube de Goa needed only a draw to win the title but they lost the last match and we became the champions. So it was a dramatic finish for us.

Rana: What are the key factors for Dempo’s consistent performance?

Abhijit: Team spirit & unity! We feel like a family at Dempo. Most of the players are playing here for more than 3-4 years together, so we have a very good relationship and understanding among the players. The coach is also a factor. He understands the player’s psychology very well. He knows each and every players mentality and treats them accordingly. Another good thing here is that no one is behaving like a star in our team. Even players like Mahesh Gawli, Samir Naik, etc. are very cooperative and very friendly to everyone, not only me but to the junior players also.

Rana: What is the turning point for Dempo in this I-League?

Abhijit: We started well and earned good points in the first leg and gained in confidence. In the second leg, the Mohun Bagan match was very important for us. We could be in trouble if we lost that match. But fortunately for us we managed a draw.

Rana: Any particular reason behind the setback in the later stage of the second leg?

Abhijit: We lost our patience against Air-India and Salgaocar. We were in a hurry to score goals, which put additional pressure on us. Finally we ended with draws in both the matches. Also we lost the matches against East Bengal and Mahindra United, which was unexpected. Again, in second leg, we played four away matches, out of them three were very tough. Finally, though Mauricio Afonso did well but still the absence of our coach Armando Colaco was a big factor.

Rana: Your coach Armando Colaco was injured during the second leg. Any impacts?

Abhijit: Mauricio did a fantastic job. He guided us very well. So it wasn’t as big a problem for us.

Rana: Which of the other team’s performances did you like the most?

Abhijit: Churchill Brothers played really well. Mohun Bagan also played well after the initial setback. Salgaocar also played some good matches after Subhash Bhowmick took charge. They shouldn’t be relegated.

Rana: Any player’s name you want to mention, who did well in the I-league?

Abhijit: For Dempo, Mahesh Gawli, John Dias and Anthony Pereira performed consistently. Apart from Dempo; Baljit Singh Sahni of JCT, Gouramangi Singh of Churchill Brothers and Subrata Pal of East Bengal played well.

Rana: Anything you want to say about the performance of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan?

Abhijit: Mohun Bagan did well in the later stages but they lost some vital points initially. If they could beat us in the second leg, then they might have been in a better position. East Bengal couldn’t keep up the tempo after the Federation Cup triumph. They also lost a series of their away matches consecutively. They might have lost their confidence under pressure. Though we have won the Super Cup, East Bengal played really well.

Rana: What is your target in the AFC Cup?

Abhijit: Our target is to reach the second round of the AFC Cup. I know the group is very tough. Teams from the Gulf region are physically stronger than us. We will also miss Mahesh and Anthony Pereira in the first match due to injury, but still we will try to give our best.

Rana: Any plans for the next season? Dempo or…?

Abhijit: I have no problems in Dempo. They pay good salary in time. If Dempo wants me to stay with due respect I’ll not leave.

Rana: So no offers for you as of now…?

Abhijit: I have no offers as of now except one from Salgaocar. But things will be clearer after the 2nd Division I-League. Corporate sponsored teams might bring some good offers for us. It is good for the next generation, too!

Rana: Any plans to come back to Calcutta, your hometown?

Abhijit: No plans as such, but if I get a good offer, then I’ll definitely go.

Rana: Since I know you personally, I know how much struggle you had to face in your career… Friends of the Stadium… Then SAI… Peerless… Bhratri Sangha… Dempo… now you are an established goalkeeper… Have you ever planned to do something for them from where you have grown up?

Abhijit: I’m always trying to do something for the juniors and help the poor players. I used to collect the unused jersey, shorts, and shoes of the Dempo players after the end of the season and distribute those among the junior players in Calcutta and in the coaching camps of my native place at Balurghat. If a kid get inspiration from me then that will be the real success. I also train the junior Goalkeepers in Dempo. I also have plans to open a Goalkeeping Academy in future, may be in Calcutta.

Rana: Anything you want to say about IndianFootball.Com?

Abhijit: It is a very good initiative taken by the IndianFootball.Com Team, as people across the world can now have all information on Indian football.
You guys are doing fantastic job for Indian football! Here we always check your site for any information and news on Indian football.

Rana: Okay Abhijit, Thank you for your time and wish you all the best for the AFC Cup!

Abhijit: Thank you.