Pre Match Press conference – Roundglass Punjab FC
Roundglass Punjab FC are all set for the upcoming I-league season as they will be taking on former champions Aizawl FC in their season opener. The side reinforced some key changes in their foreign mix with the addition of Bhutanese striker Chencho Gyletshen, Joseba Beitia who won the last I league for Mohun Bagan, Nepalese goalkeeper Kiran Limbu and defender Danilo Quipapá.
Irish Coach Curtis Fleming would be at the helm of the team. He has previously managed big names like Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough. Gaffer Curtis shared his inputs in the pre match press conference alongside captain Bikramjit Singh, excerpts from the same are as follows,
Coach Curtis Fleming opined about the upcoming season as he said, “I am very excited before the season . I think the AIFF has done a wonderful job of organizing the competition despite such difficult conditions We’ve been here for 9 weeks and preparing for the upcoming game. This is our chance to showcase our skills and to step into the I League as a new entity.”
The I League will be very different this time around with all the teams playing at a single venue and will be contesting in less number of matches. “In the new normal every game is going to be important, we have a lot of respect for our opponents, every team we play against. We have different players, different shapes and tactics for every other team. We are very confident and organized but as I said this season is going to be more of sprint than a marathon because of less number of matches. I think its the shortest season I have ever been involved in. For us it’ll be about playing open football and working as a group. Keeping up with the Punjabi spirit we want to work hard every game, and I want my players to enjoy and get better out of themselves,” added coach Curtis Fleming.
He was further quoted speaking about his team, “I am very happy with my squad. It was difficult initially we had to adapt to the new normal. We were very very careful in what we did for the pre-season as its important for us as a team to play against different teams. You can play practice games every day but its different to play against teams that you don’t know. Its all about the preparation and its going to be real business once the season starts.”
The defensive midfielder Bikramjit Singh who will also be captaining the side said, “I am very much excited and its a matter of pride for me. This season would be different on many terms for me as I will be representing my home state for the very first time. For the season all I want is to work hard as a team and bring the championship back home.”
Follow IFTWC for all the latest updates on Indian Football and download our from playstore.