Upcoming Talents
Somnath_Sengupta
3 Points
In this brand new series, TheHardTackle introduces the readers to a number of little-known but supremely promising Indian youngsters who have it in them to prosper at the senior level and bring laurels to the nation in near future. Here’s the first installment of the series.
Player Profile
Name BRANDON FERNANDES
Age 16 Years
Position Creative Midfielder
Current Club Salgaocar Academy
Represented India At U-13, U-16, U-17, U-19
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Player Profile
Name BRANDON FERNANDES
Age 16 Years
Position Creative Midfielder
Current Club Salgaocar Academy
Represented India At U-13, U-16, U-17, U-19
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Comments
all the best BRANDON... hope u will play for Indian NT and in european leagues
Name PRATIK SHINDE
Age 15 Years
Position Central Midfielder
Current Club Galveston Pirate SC (US League)
Represented India At U-13, U-15
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He is still in Cape Town academy
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12-year-old Mohammed Hamza Shaikh is going to be one of the few kids, who will be part of the 2011 Allianz Junior Football Camp at Bayern Munich.
Later this October, those kids would get the chance of a lifetime as they will train at the world class training center of the German giants.
Hamza's experience in Germany will certainly be a proud moment for the academy where he has been learning his early football education - the Andheri Academy in Mumbai.
The academy came into the headlines earlier this year when one of their cadets Pratik Shinde earned a contract with US based club Galvestone Pirate SC.
Hamza Shaikh's selection for the camp at Bayern Munich is the latest proof of the good work the Andheri Academy has been doing in developing young talents in Indian football.
Head Coach of the Academy, Mr. Malay Sengupta was all praise for Hamza and talked about the potential of young budding footballers in Mumbai at grassroots level.
"We are all very happy for him (Hamza). He has made us really proud and I am sure he will comeback as an even better player.
"There is a lot of interest in football at school level here but the problem is once the kids get older and have to worry about their careers, they choose a profession outside football as there is no guarantee for them in football because Mumbai lacks top clubs. The disbandment of Mahindra United is also a setback in that regard."
However coach Sengupta, who has a AFC 'B' license', stated that at Andheri Football Academy the aim is always to help their cadets to have a bright future.
As a proof of the same, he told Goal.com that two of their cadets Arbaz Kapadia and Rutwik Kale have been selected to play for the Mohun Bagan under-13 team.
"Our aim is not only to educate young footballers but also help them to have a proper career. The two have deservedly made it into the Mohun Bagan under-13 side and will soon start training there."
Arif Shaikh, father of Hamza also acknowledged the contribution of Andheri Football Academy in helping his son realise his dream and told Goal.com that he will do everything to ensure his son becomes a professional footballer.
"Hamza is a very a hard working lad. From the age of six he has been going to the field and often he used to wake up even before me for his daily training.
"I would like to thank Andheri Football Academy and I am really proud that my son will go to Germany to train at one of the best clubs in the world.
"We have already spoken to his school (St.Mary's High School) about his Germany trip in October so that he gets leave for this dream venture. All of us in the family want to see him as a professional footballer, so we will do everything possible to ensure the same," said the proud father.
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Galveston Pirate SC owner and coach Brendan Keyes started to sweat Thursday night in the parking lot of Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
It was nearing midnight, and Pratik Shinde, the 16-year-old soccer sensation from Mumbai, India, was nowhere to be found after his plane finally landed following a 22-hour flight. Keyes thought for sure Shinde was headed back to India, a heartbreaking and failed attempt to fulfill his dream of playing soccer in America.
Suddenly, Keyes’ nearly dead cellphone started ringing.
“Coach, you have to come tell them I am a football player,” Shinde said on the other end.
Shinde was being interrogated in U.S. Immigrations and Customs because, frankly, the 5-foot-6 Indian didn’t look like an American football player.
“Give me a ball, and I’ll juggle it for you,” Shinde pleaded the agents, who finally understood he was talking about soccer.
After months of trying and three denied requests to obtain a visa, Shinde finally has arrived in Galveston County to play for the Pirate SC. Less than three days after landing, he will make his playing debut at 11 a.m. today at Bayland Park in Houston.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Shinde said. “I can’t possibly say how thankful I am for coach Keyes giving me the opportunity.”
Shinde will stay with Keyes for six months and possibly attend Clear Brook High School while sharpening his soccer skills. He regularly video chats with his family via Skype, and all six members of his household marvel at his bed, which Shinde said is bigger than his entire house.
“I don’t feel like a traveler with coach Keyes’ family,” Shinde said. “I am a little nervous about playing, but I’m ready to play a lot of football.”
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Pirate SC 2 Wks FC 1
Galveston Media Relations: The Pirate made it two in a row with a sub par performance to say the least. The Pirate had the chance to have a scoring spree but couldn't finish off a much older side in Wankers FC. Michael Hutson should have had a hat trick, after getting four last week he didn't have his shooting boots on today. Osteven Lopez opened the scoring for Pirates on 16 minutes, the lead didn't last two minutes when wankers hit back with a long range effort to even the score. Oscar Carillio scored in the 40 minute to give the Pirates the lead for good, but he missed a few easy chances that would have put the Pirates out of sight. It wasn't a good performance said Coach Keyes, the game as a contest should have been over by half time. We made it hard on ourselves especially after going a man down for most of the second half. The guys need to do a better job off finishing off teams. Before the game Coach Keyes told his new recruit Pratik Shinde he would give him twenty minutes and that's exactly what he got. The Moment Shinde had been waiting for came in the 25 minute when Coach Keyes told him to warm up. Shinde looked a little nervous as expected from a kid who hasn't had a training session with the team yet. Pratik looked okay said coach keyes, I know he was nervous, he made a couple nice moves and passes, he needs some time to settle in, I really didn't want him to play but we were a bit short today and he wanted to play. The Pirate will take the victory and move on, next week they will play Elite FC who are top of the league. After the game Coach told his players they would have to step it up if they are to challenge for the league title.
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