Mandar Dessai and Romeo Fernandes: FC Goa's terrorising wingers are like two sides of the same coin

As Leo Moura, Lucio and Jonatan Lucca trickled into the Tilak Maidan on 15 November for Indian Super League side FC Goa’s training session in Vasco, the club’s developmental side players reacted with careful pointing and whispers. But as soon as Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai walked in, the kids stood up, rushed to the two players shouting their names and made a beeline for a selfie or an autograph. Romeo also got hearty congratulations from a few coaches – this was his first public appearance since making his debut for India on 12 November against Guam. [caption id=“attachment_2520348” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Romeo Fernandes (L) Goa and Mandar Rao Dessai of FC Goa. Photo: ISL[/caption] “Locals right? They always connect more,” a member of the FC Goa staff said, trying to explain why there was no such rush for the foreign stars. Even after training, the two wingers were the most sought after players, as the kids who didn’t get their chance to capture a moment with them earlier, made sure they went back home with a digital souvenir or a signature on a tissue paper. The two players were instrumental in dismantling Mumbai City 7-0 at the Fatorda Stadium on 17 November, their darting runs and trickery creating havoc in the channels. It’s no surprise that they capitulated 4-0 against Atletico de Kolkata five days later with Zico opting to rest both. “They are very fast players, both have a lot of technique and can decide a game if they are not marked well. I always play in a way that they can come into a game with security (to attack freely) and can believe in themselves. I hope that they can become better footballers under me,” Zico said about his wingers after the 7-0 win. But without them, Goa lacked the penetration against the defending champions in a narrow formation – something they thrived on against Mumbai. Mandar managed half-a-grin-half-a-sigh-of-relief as Firstpost caught up with him after training a couple of days before Zico’s effusive praise would come. The 23-year-old has done brilliantly to fashion a niche for himself – despite the intense competition for limelight with Goan stars like Gabriel Fernandes, Brandon Fernandes, Cavin Lobo and Denzil Franco. His biggest comparison though, comes with teammate Romeo. If Mandar prefers the left wing, Romeo likes the right. Romeo is a right footer while Mandar is a southpaw. Mandar is trickier as Romeo relies more on his pace. Mandar loves cutting in as well, while Romeo is more of a touchline hugging player who roams the channels. The starkest contrast though, is in personality – Romeo is shy, known to build a shell around himself and the flashiest he can get is wear pink boots. Mandar is confident, has a fancy haircut and is a bit of swagger – he’s also almost sure of being the ‘best left-winger’ in the country (“since I haven’t played for the national team I can’t say much on this”). “I like to enjoy with my friends. I’m not a shy character, I’m very outgoing. I’m mostly at home but I’m a very friendly player. On the field, I want to be the best and as always, look to score and take the ball forward,” he said. If Romeo’s claim to fame was becoming the first Indian outfield player to play for a top level club abroad, Mandar’s is closer to home – when he led Goa-India to a gold medal in the Lusofonia Games in 2014. This led to a move to FC Goa and 11 impressive appearances for them in ISL 2014. In fact, he’s even been called up to the India senior team but hasn’t played yet. This year, he’s already got a goal and a couple of assists in the ISL. " Pressure is more being in the national team but I really want it, the dream is to also play abroad but I will make sure the contract is good (referring to what Romeo went through in Brazil ) because it’s very difficult to not be playing abroad and then come back home," Mandar said. The Ronaldinho fan is also working on his defending skills and Zico put him in some defensive zones while training, asking him to track back and press. “I’m very good attacking, and whenever I have the ball I like to drive forward. I am working on my defensive work and not just on tracking back, but basic defensive work also,” he added. Mandar also squashes any misunderstandings about his heritage – his surname often causes confusion as to whether he is from Gujarat: “I’m Valpo – completely Goan. Even though I get this asked a lot – whether I am from Gujarat. But no, I am from Goa. No heritage and no roots anywhere else.” FC Goa meet Mumbai City FC on 18 November – where four Goan attackers could be on show: Mandar, Romeo, Gabriel Fernandes and Brandon. The stage is for young Mandar to show his mettle.