Sabyasachi Bagchi: I League winning ex Mohun Bagan international Sony Norde on Sunday picked Sanjoy Sen as the best coach he played under. Norde, who now plays for Malaysia Super League club Melaka United has heaped huge praise on the man management skills of Sanjoy Sen. It was under Sanjoy Sen’s coaching the Mariners lifted their maiden I League trophy in 2014-15 season. The Haitian international in an impromptu chat with this correspondent from his residence in Malaysia shared his thoughts on Mohun Bagan’s maiden I League winning campaign, his best goal, injuries and lot more topics.
Q: Your inbox must be flooded with good wishes from Mariners fans as it is on this day Mohun Bagan lifted its maiden I League trophy?
Sony: Yes, I have been receiving a lot of messages since last night. It was a special night in Bengaluru as Mohun Bagan managed to win the I League for the first time. It had a special place in the minds of Mariners as they had to wait for almost 13 years since winning the National League in 2001-02 season. I am grateful to the Mohun Bagan officials for giving me an opportunity to play for them. They brought me from Dhanmondi club where I was so successful. But I must confess, the love and warmth I received from the fans in Mohun Bagan will always remain special.
Q: Can you take us back to that match against Bengaluru FC?
Sony: We needed a draw to become the champions of I League whereas for Bengaluru it was a must win game. Our coach Sanjoy Sen always stressed to remain positive from the start and go for full points. We conceded a goal against the run of play by John Johnson. And that put a lot of pressure on us. During the break Pierre Boya played a big role in motivating the entire team. He was like a leader to the team, although Shilton (Paul) was the captain. We came back strongly in the second half as we created a lot of opportunities, finally Bello (Rasaq) scoring the equalizer in the 86th minute of the match. I shall remain forever grateful to him (Bello) for making us realize our dreams.
Q: How was your experience playing the first derby?
Sony: See everyone wants to give his best performance in derby. I realized how important it was to win trophy for a big club like Mohun Bagan. I still have fond memories of the reception we got from the fans on our return to the airport. It took us almost three and half hours to reach the club tent. As far as my experience in the first derby goes, it wasn’t a happy one. We could have returned empty handed had Boya not scored that day.
Q: Talking about the Kolkata derby, fans still remember your ‘steyn gun” celebrations?
Sony: There was story behind that ‘steyn gun” celebrations. It was my first goal in a derby which was played in Siliguri. It was one of the reasons. The other reason was my wife gave birth to our first son few months back. My wife used to tell me that whenever he crawled on the floor I should do a “steyn gun” celebration as he had a lot of fun. I dedicated the goal I scored in that derby to my family. I am happy that the supporters still remembered the “steyn gun” celebration.
Q: You had to face a lot of criticism for missing out the derby on more than one occasion due to injury. Any thoughts?
Sony: No footballer wants to miss a derby. My career suffered a lot due to my injuries but those are part and parcel of any professional footballer. I still remember I had to miss the I League derby in Siliguri the season following the one in which we won the I League. During the 2017-18 season it was again the injury that I was forced to leave the squad. Next season again I got injured in the first derby. The team suffered the most due to my absence. There was an atmosphere of misunderstanding as I was dragged into controversy.
Q: Can you talk us about your jersey numbers in Mohun Bagan?
Sony: I have always believed in team coming first. In Dhanmondi I used to wear the No 10 jersey. But when I joined Bagan, Katsumi used to don the No 10 jersey. So I had to choose No 16. When Katsumi left the club, I was given the No 10 jersey. I wear the same No 10 for the Haiti national team. When I returned back to the club after a season from injury Henry Kisseka was wearing the No 10 jersey. So I picked No 50.
Q: What was your best goal in I League?
Sony: The one I scored at the Salt Lake stadium against Mumbai City FC is still the best goal I scored in I League. My first derby goal in Siliguri will also come close.
Q: You played under so many coaches in your career so far but who according to you has been the best?
Sony: For me Sanjoy Sen was the best coach I played under. He is one of the best Indian coaches I have seen. The best thing about him is he could bring out the best from his boys and earned the respect of all the players.
Q: Who according to you was the best defender you played against?
Sony: John Johnson
Q: What about the best striker?
Sony: There were quite a few. Sunil (Chhetri), Jeje and Balwant Singh.
Q: Lastly, your best derby match?
Sony: The derby I played in 2014-15 season. We went on to win that match and that gave us a lot of confidence.