Panaji: For the first time in his three years as coach at FC Goa, Manolo Marquez handpicked Muhammed Nemil for a starting role in the team’s Indian Super League (ISL) opener against Inter Kashi at home last week. That too as the team’s lone striker.For many, the choice seemed like a compulsion. After all, Goa do not have any recognised foreign striker; the two new arrivals – Ishan Pandita and Daniel Lalhlimpuia – haven’t had much time with the team, leaving the Super Cup champions with Nemil, in an unfamiliar role, as their best hope. For Manolo though, regardless of the players at his disposal, Nemil deserved a start.“This is a changed Nemil, one who has trained for long with good consistency,” Manolo told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Wednesday. “He has had ups and downs, injuries. In his position, there are a lot of foreigners and it’s a problem for him. But we’ve been speaking, this season, Nemil deserved the chance to be a starter.”Manolo was impressed with Nemil’s 15-minute appearance in the Super Cup final against East Bengal. It came in the second half of extra time, and “he pressed a lot when the team was tired.”One of the more exciting young prospects to have graduated from Reliance Foundations Young Champs’ first batch in 2020, Nemil can score with both feet. This season alone, he has scored nine in friendlies.“Everyone knows he has quality, (now) it’s more about consistency,” said Manolo.As starter against Inter Kashi, Nemil’s performance was flawless, winning a late penalty that helped the hosts rescue a point. At the post-match media interaction, there was praise for the forward from the experienced Spanish coach, something Nemil wasn’t aware until questioned by reporters on Wednesday.“Yes, I am happy (with the start), but I wanted to score,” said Nemil. “The feeling was great because I’ve been waiting for a long time for this moment. All thanks to coach and the staff for giving me this opportunity.”Since joining the club in 2021 after an encouraging stint in Spain, this was only his third ISL start. The first two came in his debut season (2021-22), and he had to wait four years, spanning 30 matches that he featured, to be among the starting 11 again.“It’s frustrating (to be on the bench) but I knew that I would get my chance. The coach has been telling me to train hard and be patient. I was waiting for this moment. Of course, because there are less foreigners – and they play most games – there are lot of opportunities for Indian players like me (this season). I must make it count,” said Nemil.The 23-year-old does not have a goal contribution in the ISL. Had it not been for a close-range reflex save from Spanish goalkeeper Lluis Tarres, he would have opened his account against Kashi.His goal for the 12 remaining matches is now clear: “get as many minutes as possible, score as many goals and help the team.”
