Kolkata: Calum Angus landed in the city last midnight to play for East Bengal in the CFL. Calum has last piled his trade for Dempo Sc and Pune FC in the I-league before joining MLS (Major League Soccer). Actually, a central defender Angus has also got the ability to score goals from dead ball situations as he is capable of scoring goals from the free kick and corners.
Calum Angus was supposed to arrived at 12:30 a.m. last midnight but as his flight got delayed by 2 hours he landed around 2:30 a.m before checking out from the airport around 3:10 a.m. he looked tired of a hectic journey from Canada to Hong Kong before landing on Kolkata.
He spoke for a while to our correspondent, Gopal Roy, before leaving for his residence. Following are the excerpts:
On his choice of joining East Bengal
I have played in India before and had a one year stint with both Pune F.C. and Dempo S.C. in the I-League. I have come here to win trophies for East Bengal, both CFL and I-League. I am grateful to Trevor Morgan as well as the other officials for keeping the faith in me and will try not to disappoint them.
On leaving a tournament like MLS and coming back to India
For a player you have to gather experience playing everywhere. I love playing all around the world. My wife is a canadian lady, so I tried out in MLS. I had a good experience playing for Dempo and Pune FC.
On playing under constant pressure of the fans in Kolkata
When I was playing last time in the I-league, I was very much known with the pressure of the fans in Kolkata. It won’t be a problem. Wherever you go, pressure will be there. Without pressure, you cannot perform well or rather the best does not come out of you.
On East Bengal-Mohun Bagan rivalry
Yes, I know about this rivalry. When I was playing in India last time for Pune and Dempo, I had the experience of watching it. But this time I will be participating which is an added pressure and a will be a great experience to play in front of a huge crowd. I am waiting to be a part of it.
On the other hand, East Bengal’s Korean missile Do-Dong-Hyun too landed in the city last night at midnight. Dong, who is on a one-year contract with the Red and Gold was stupendous in the CFL last season scoring 10 goals in 12 matches for the Red and Gold brigade with a brace against Mohun Bagan in his maiden derby.
Dong’s CFL performance did not carry forward in the I-league for East Bengal as he failed to prove a point in the I-League. Some poor performances forced to sit on the reserve bench under then coach Biswajit Bhattacharya. Dong could only score 3 goals in the whole I-League, a brace against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and a goal against Bengaluru FC.
After landing to the city of joy, Dong said , “I want to play well both in the I-League as well as CFL. I will work harder this time under coach Trevor Morgan.” His eyes reflected that he is here to prove again to the supporters.
But Dong seemed to be unknown with the fact that his best opponents Mohun bagan will not be playing the “exhibition match”. He said, ” I don’t know any thing as such. I am here to play for East Bengal and score goals and come to the help of my team in any ways.”
Both Dong and Angus are set to get down to training on Friday under coach Morgan and assistant coach Richard Dryden after giving a medical test to the medical team of East Bengal.