ISL 2015: Interview with FC Goa's Dudu Omagbemi - Its unfair to compare I-League with ISL

FC Goa’s Dudu Omagbemi has been in great goalscoring form

As the second season of the Indian Super League commenced in October, one couldn't help but feel excited being a football fan here. We suddenly had access to the likes of Roberto Carlos, John Arne Riise, Nicolas Anelka et al; stars who had been at the zenith of the beautiful game. It indeed promised to be a spectacle like no other.

A group of loyalists however couldn't help but notice the absence of some of the marquee foreigners who otherwise dominate headlines in the other football tournament in India, the I-League. In fact, I remember pondering over a possible lisit-icle with a fellow journalist chronicling “Five I-League stars who aren't part of the ISL.”

One of the names which featured prominently in the discussions was that of Dudu. The Nigerian international, who had flourished at domestic clubs here like Pune FC, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Dempo wasn't picked by any of the eight franchisees; however midway through the season, an offer from FC Goa meant the 30 year old added another chapter to his tryst with the beautiful game here.

Talking about his experience so far, he said, “Its been wonderful, the unity amongst the group has stood out; also we are overwhelmed with the support we have got and hopefully can repay the faith by winning and reaching the final tomorrow.”

A veteran of many a season in the I-League, Dudu is ideally placed to judge India’s football calendar. However, he played down comparisons between the cash rich ISL and its relatively unprosperous counterpart, the I-League, saying, “Its unfair to try and draw a parallel between the two.”

“One major difference though, according to me, is the number of Indian players who get to play in each of them- so while we have 4 of us(foreigners) playing in the I-League, its different here. The local youngsters get lesser opportunities; what they lose in playing time though, they make up in gaining valuable experience while playing with top players and under world class managers.”

Given the short nature of the tourney, it was assumed that fewer people would manage to establish a connect with the team. That however hasn't happened; in fact if scenes on Goa streets are anything to go by, the squad members are treated like demigods here. Buoyed by the support that the franchisee has been getting, Dudu added, “ISL has more stars; people are bound to enjoy it more.”

Conceding that he hasn't yet decided if he will stay back for the I-League, he signed off by saying, “I am not thinking about it. The only aim right now is to go out and lift the ISL trophy. Everything else can wait till then.”