Mumbai City FC’s full-back Nathan Rodrigues said it was a great feeling to score in successive matches in the ongoing Indian Super League. The 20-year-old youngster made his ISL debut against Bengaluru FC and admitted he was a bit nervous at the start.
The youngster had to spend the previous season on the sidelines and he was delighted to get his deserved opportunity in the playing XI.
Rodrigues shared, “Starting with the warm-up, I was completely nervous.”
“For the first five minutes (after kick-off) I was nervous, even upset with myself. I was wondering, ‘What if I make a mistake?’ Then my thoughts were, ‘Can I make some good passes?’ When the match started, I made some good passes, won duels too, and that’s how I gained confidence,” he said in an interview with The Times of India.
Meanwhile, the youngster has scored twice in five matches he has played in the 11th season of the tournament. Rodrigues scored back-to-back games against Kerala Blasters FC (4-2) and Chennaiyin FC (1-1). Both of Rodrigues’ goals came from headers.
“It’s a great feeling to score in successive matches, it’s a bit confidence booster. I believe I can perform at a much higher level. The goals came from set-pieces. I stuck to my role, and what was assigned to me (during training). Now I have to be consistent with my performances.”
After not getting his chance in the previous season, Rodrigues admitted he was a bit annoyed but worked hard on his game.
“I was annoyed, but giving up was not an option. So, I kept my head down, worked hard and tried to improve on my weaknesses.”
The defender revealed that head coach Peter Kratky believed in him and has backed him to the hilt.
“I was happy that coach (Kratky) believed in me, he backed me. Since then, my only aim has been to do good and make him feel happy,” he commented.
Mumbai City FC will next take on Punjab FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai on 26th November.
