Steven Dias says crowd appreciation was the only driving force for Mahindra United players
Steven Dias says crowd appreciation was the only driving force for Mahindra United players
It was an emotional farewell for Mumbai football giants Mahindra United at the Cooperage ground yesterday.
Mahindra announced last month that they will be withdrawing their football teams from all competitions from next year. The lads however made sure they signed off on a winning note beating Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Mills FC 2-1.
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| Mahindra United players Mohammad Rafi (left) and Paresh Shivalkar pay their respects after their last match for Mahindra United at Cooperage yesterday. PIC/ Sameer Markande |
Star winger Steven Dias, who has been with the Mumbai club for seven years now, speaking to MiD DAY after the match, said, "The fans are the ones who we played for today. It has been difficult in the last six games after the announcement (of disbanding the team) as all players are trying to secure their future, but we just had to do it today."
A loyal crowd was in attendance to savour the jeepmen's last hurrah and the men playing Nashik Dhol were at their loudest throughout the match from the far side of the stadium.
The crowd in the stands was largely quiet, except for a few jibes they had as the JCT strikers missed a few sitters. However they couldn't hold back in the dying minutes and were quite vocal in their protest when JCT midfielder Jaswinder Singh got into a scuffle with some Mahindra boys as they took the ball towards the corner flag.
The mood in the Mahindra United camp was sombre. Mohammad Rafi, who is heading home to Kerala before penning the deal with Churchill Brothers of Goa, said: "This was a very cruel way of ending one of the most illustrious clubs of India, but as a player I have to move on in search of my daily bread."
Team manager Henry Menezes revealed the mood in the camp. "Today was the last time the group came together. We had a small get-together yesterday and it was a very emotional affair. Many people were in tears during the event," signed off Menezes.
