Log in using Facebook
Log in using Google
Log in using Email
Reset Password
Youth Team Diaries: FC Goa Dev Team captain Leander D’Cunha
posted in Specials by Sarthak Sharma on 2nd April 2020
posted in Specials
by Sarthak Sharma
on 2nd April 2020
Youth Team Diaries: FC Goa Dev Team captain Leander D’Cunha
The FC Goa Developmental Team is creating the club’s stars of tomorrow, and who better than the captain himself, Leander D’Cunha, to lead the charge.
Leander can easily be considered the “Mr. Consistent” of the Dev Team, regularly stepping up and aiding his side’s charge across various competitions.
The right back is a machine on the pitch, and as he recalls, his interest in the beautiful game was strong from the beginning.
“I used to go and watch football matches with my family, and looking at them play I knew I wanted to become a footballer,” Leander says.
The big break for the youngster came when he joined the SESA Football Academy, and he believes that it is important for every young player to have the right conditions in which to start their careers.
“I joined SESA in 2012 and it was a turning point for me. I spent two years in the Academy and learnt about the importance of nutrition, training and discipline apart from just playing football, and I think it is key for every young player to understand the importance of things outside of football to help make a career,” he continued.
After a spell at Churchill Brothers, Leander was scouted by FC Goa, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“I was so excited when I got the chance to represent FC Goa. I wanted to go and live my dream of playing in the ISL, and this was a huge opportunity to go and do that.”
Once at the club, Leander began making waves for his superior passing qualities and ability to make strong overlapping runs as a fullback, immersing himself into the FC Goa culture with ease and helping the team live up to their nature of playing attacking football.
The 22-year-old was integrating himself into the squad, and was taking inspiration from some of the best players in the world to better his own game.
“I was always inspired by Lionel Messi. Apart from his individual skills, he was a team player, and being a Barcelona fan, it was great to see him doing what he does best. Seeing a player like him on TV can sometimes help motivate young players like myself to become better,” he said.
As his influence on the pitch grew, it became apparent that Leander was a leader off the pitch too, and was handed the FC Goa Dev Team captaincy earlier this season, a moment he will never forget.
“At the start of the season, Coach Clifford (Miranda) approached me and offered the captaincy. I was normal at the time, but it was a moment I will always cherish.”
The Dev Team has always been based around the principles of the FC Goa senior team, and for Leander, the influence of the local players has been imperative to helping himself grow as a player.
“I look up to the likes of Mandar (Rao Dessai) and Seriton (Fernandes) and admire them a lot for how they have worked their way up.
“I take advice from them on how to make it up to the first team like they did and they have always been welcoming towards helping me out.
“They always say that hard work is the key. If I continue to work hard and improve my game, the results will come. It is all about discipline and one day it is possible to make it to the top.”
Making it to the top is certainly something Leander thinks about, and has even set himself the goal of graduating to the seniors very soon.
“I have made it my mission to make it up to the first team by next year. I want to play for FC Goa at the highest level and I’m willing to work hard and one day hopefully even represent my country.”
The lights shine bright on Leander D’Cunha in the Developmental Team, and with the squad still fighting for glory in the Hero 2nd Division League, hopes are that captain fantastic can inspire the side to the very top this time around.
