ISL: Mandar Rao Dessai's football journey with FC Goa and India

Goa has been kwn to produce some of top footballers who have gone onto play for Indian national side. From likes of Bru Coutinho, Mahesh Gawli, Climax Lawrence, Alvito D'Cunha made a name for mselves on football field. Mandar Rao Desai is yet ar name to have emerged from land of beaches. FC Goa left-back has gone onto achieve his dream of donning Indian jersey when he was called up by current coach Igor Stimac.

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Mandar Rao Desai's Dempo days 

Having joined Dempo as a teenr, he quickly came up with ranks and was called up to first team by coach Armando Colaco. With some high profile Indian players already in team starting XI, it was difficult for him to break into first team, but Goan native never backed down and continued to do well as a winger. 

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Mandar Rao Desai's ISL career and emergence as left-back

Having been part of FC Goa side in Indian Super League (ISL) since its inception, Mandar continued to play as a winger and it was last season that  FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera told him to play as a left-back. 

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While speaking to Indian media, Mandar revealed that during pre-season in Spain last year, coach (Sergio) Lobera told him that he could do well in that position and asked him if he was comfortable playing in that position. Goan native continued to do well in that position and was soon handed his national team debut during Hero Intercontinental Cup 2019 match against Tajikistan. It was a dream come true for a player, who had always been at doorstep of national team for years but never quite mand to take first step in.

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ISL: So near and yet so far for FC Goa 

Mandar's luck with FC Goa for ISL title has been case of so near and yet so far. Having reached two finals and two semi-finals in first five editions, team has failed to lay ir hands on trophy.  With some international experience behind him, Mandar w has a chance to help FC Goa long-time ambition of winning ISL trophy.

ISL: FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC

Most of ir key players of last season retained for this year, FC Goa will begin ir Indian Super League campaign against former champions Chennaiyin FC at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Wednesday.