Emotional evening for Mahindra’s Dias and Pereira

Amongst all the thank yous and tributes Mahindra United's outgoing coach Derrick Pereira received yesterday, this one probably was the most touching.

Emotional evening for Mahindra's Dias and Pereira

Amongst all the thank yous and tributes Mahindra United's outgoing coach Derrick Pereira received yesterday, this one probably was the most touching.

Soon after United beat ONGC 3-2 to retain the Elite Division of the Mahindra Mumbai Football League, skipper Steven Dias went over to Pereira and said, "Thank you for everything." There was a brief pause as the two saw eye-to-eye after which Pereira moved on to meet a host of well-wishers who had queued up to bid farewell as he ended his four-year coaching stint with the Mumbai club. There was more to that expression of gratitude. The hug said it all.

Dias associated his special bonding with Pereira's to an incident at the start of the season when he and teammate NP Pradeep nearly left United following a lucrative offer from a Kolkata club. However, their contractual obligations restricted them from doing so, leaving Dias frustrated. It could have led to his downfall as a player but coach Pereira handled the situation perfectly.

"It's every footballer's dream to play in Kolkata, so I was very frustrated when I was not allowed to go but Derrick was very understanding. He spoke to me at length and ensured I was fine. Today when I look back, I'm happy I stayed," Dias told MiD DAY after setting up two of the three goals for his striker Edeh Chidi with his trademark pin-point crosses. Mohammad Rafi scored the third while ONGC reduced the margin through Mangut Mbwas and Jatin Bisht.

In fact even Dias was surprised with the way Pereira treated him. "Though I'm an important member of the team, after the controversy I least expected him to make me captain (after regular skipper Ajayan was injured). But that's exactly what he did and this speaks volumes of his professionalism," said Dias.

Pereira admitted that keeping Dias back was tough but crucial. "Steven is the kind of player who gives his 100 per cent every time he steps on to the field.

"Thankfully we retained him and I'm glad he's a satisfied man now," said Pereira, who helped United to titles like the I-League, Federation Cup, Durand Cup, etc besides making history when he guided them to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup last year.