After a flurry of goals in the earlier stage of the tournament, the goals in the inaugural Hero Indian Super League have dried up.
But with Mumbai City FC hosting FC Goa on Monday, spectators will be hoping for a goal-glut, especially from Andre Moritz. The Brazil-born attacking midfielder is the only hat-trick scorer in the tournament so far.
Moritz dazzled the crowd in Mumbai’s first home game with a hat-trick of goals to power his team to a stunning 5-0 victory over state rivals FC Pune City.
The nimble footed striker mesmerises with his deft passes and adds more teeth to its attack. Whenever on field, he stands out.
The 28-year-old opens up the possibility of a miraculous piece of play from nowhere.
His mere presence makes defenders susceptible. He also has the ability to create space for his fellow-attackers to score.
Moritz’s Mumbai host FC Goa on Monday and the soft-spoken footballer feels it will be difficult to tide over their opponents because the visitors always end with a positive result in an away game.
In an exclusive chat with Rediff.com’s Laxmi Negi, Moritz says he wants to make football history in India, that he doesn’t regret not having a vacation this season and how he gels with his Indian club mates.
Being the first and so far only hat-trick scorer of the league, what are your thoughts?
I came to India to make history. It was the first ever Indian Super League and for me it was a pleasure to be involved.
I feel honoured to have scored a hat-trick in my first home game itself. And, about making history, it will be something I will be telling my grandkids in may be 50 years.
We are well aware of your Premier League experience (he played for Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers) but what drew you to ISL?
I have signed a big contract with Pohang Steelers (South Korean football club). It's the most successful club in Asia having won the most AFC Champions League titles (three). I will be going to South Korea in January.
I had a gap of three months of no proper football. Then an opportunity to play in India came along from an agent, who was in touch with Mumbai City coach Peter Reid. They wanted me to play in ISL. The timing was perfect.
So, no vacation for you?
No.
I love my job. I love playing football. Like I said, the opportunity of playing the first ISL was really tempting. I like new challenges in my life. I like to see a new country and experience new cultures. It’s like a new adventure.
This is my first trip to India. I could combine my job, which I love doing, and also the new adventure. Couldn’t ask for more!
How would you rate your experience with fans in India?
People are not used to watching football here in India. I think even in stadiums, they want to cheer the players but they don’t know how to cheer. So, I try to add some zing. I ask them to clap when I go for a corner or a free-kick.
The support that we enjoy at home is splendid. We just hope to get to the final. Once we are in the final, the crowd support will be much bigger. We will keep trying to keep closer contact with the fans, especially at home.
You have played in Kolkata, Goa and Kochi. Which football hub has impressed you the most?
Kolkata. I was amazed at the number of people that turned out to watch us play. The size of the stadium was breathtaking! It was the first game and we were all excited. That added brownie points to Kolkata (smiles).
Also, Kochi was unique -- with the bands in the stadium and the fans making noises.
Everywhere we go in India, it is like a new experience. India is so big. Every game you go you play there is something new.
Goa seems like one country and Mumbai seems like another. It’s been a nice experience.
How have you adapted yourself in Indian conditions?
Football is not difficult. The language of football is the same everywhere. So I have my style of playing which I have been doing for years.
Peter Reid uses the Indian players very effectively. It’s more like the Indian players are adapting to the foreigners because we are a little bit more experienced than them. We always try to give them some advice and improve them during training. The friendship has been very good.
