Fernandes keen to make a mark

Aug 14, 2013 |

Age Correspondent

Eager to don national colours in Khajand on Wednesday, Sporting Clube de Goa striker Dawson Fernandes said he wants to make the most of the first opportunity and help his team come out with flying colours.
Fernandes, who has been associated with the I-League side Sporting Clube de Goa for a couple of years before playing for Salgaocar for three years, has been named among the 30-man probables by national coach Wim Koevermans for Wednesday’s international friendly against Tajikistan.
For Fernandes, the call-up did not come as a surprise as he explained that he has been expecting the national team opportunity to come his way.
On his experience with the national senior team so far, the 23-year-old was full of praise for the senior members who made him feel “at home”.
“I am the only player from Sporting Clube de Goa to be in the India squad at Khujand, that too in my first tour with the national team. So to strike an instant chord wasn’t supposed to be that easy,” said Fernandes.
“But the seniors made me comfortable. Right from the time we assembled in New Delhi, never was I given cold vibes; and even during my first practice session I felt at home.
“Now I want and need to make the most of the opportunity,” he added.
Fernandes’ journey began some 12 years back when he was 11 years old.
“I started playing in inter-school tournaments and joined Fransa’s Under-16 team when I was 14. We won the Goa league that year,” he recollected.
“I shifted to Salgaocar at the age of 15 and was drafted into the senior squad when I was 17. But I didn’t get to play a match. Even when Salgaocar won the I-League (2010-11), I just watched and trained. Hence, I had to make a choice and Sporting Clube de Goa showed interest.
“Till then I was a rookie who had done well at age-group level. But Sporting gave me an opportunity and I am grateful to them. I seized it. That season, I ended up with six goals from 11 matches. The next season, I grew in confidence despite missing around 10 matches due to an injury,” said Fernandes.

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