An interview with East Bengal's derby hero Do Dong Hyun.
He had announced himself as the 'next big thing' of Indian football at this very stage in a Kolkata derby in 2015, and after enduring a roller coaster ride this season, Do Dong Hyun rose like a Phoenix to inject life into East Bengal's faltering I-League campaign, while knocking out Mohun Bagan at a home, far away from home. Playing at Siliguri's Kanchenjunga Stadium due to the unavailability of Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata (which is being readied for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup), the Red and Golds snuffed the wind out of Mariners' sails and opened up a three-way title race between themselves, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC.
It was a 'cometh the hour, cometh the man' kind of performance from Do Dong as he kept Biswajit Bhattacharya's unbeaten derby streak going. After the match, the Korean wizard spoke to dna over the phone and he sounded very positive about their chances of becoming the best club in India after a long hiatus. Here are the excerpts from the interview:
First of all congratulations for the win. How does it feel to be the hero of East Bengal again?
Thank you. Well, to be honest, just a few days back I endured a tough time when I wasn't playing that well and now to score those goals and win the derby feels amazing.
Was this a thought out plan of the coach to substitute you at the half hour mark or was it an instant decision?
Well, this was entirely coach's decision, so I can't say whether he had pre-planned it or not, but my basic aim was to give my best whenever I got a chance to play. It doesn't matter whether I start on the bench or come on as a substitute, I just want to score goals and I am happy that I was successful in doing that today.
There has been a recent trend in I-League where the teams, obliged to field one Under 23 player, do include them in the first XI but then the coaches substitute the youngsters after few minutes. Like today, you took Abhinash Ruidas' place. Is this helping Indian football?
I can only say that a player needs to respect a coach's decision. In the earlier games, when I was left out, I took it in my stride and Abhinash also needs to do the same.
Generally, Ranti Martins is the designated penalty taker of the club, but today you stepped up to take the spot-kick. Any special reason for the change?
I have to be thankful to Ranti and (Bernard) Mendy for today's match because it's Ranti who takes penalties for the team and that has worked for us till now. So when we got the spot kick, Ranti spoke to Mendy and then I asked him whether I could take the penalty. He agreed and I am happy that I could keep his trust.
Ranti Martins and Sanju Pradhan celebrate Do Dong Hyun's first goal (AFP)
There was doubt about the spot kick which was awarded to your team. Mohun Bagan players were furious with the decision. Do you think it was a fair penalty?
It depends on the referee. At times the officials award 'on the edge' penalties, at times they don't. Today was a day when the referee was intent on awarding those kind of penalties. But the end result is that both sides got one penalty each, we converted our's while they missed. That was the deciding factor of the game.
In the second half you missed that left-footed attempt, right in front of the goal and at that time East Bengal were only ahead by a solitary goal. So what was going through your mind after that?
I couldn't believe that I didn't put the ball at the back of the net from that range, I felt disgusted but had I kept thinking about that chance, I couldn't have concentrated on the game. So I tried to wash that out of my memory as soon as possible and scored in the next opportunity that came my way.
What do you think about Bello Rassaq's goal line save?
I can't explain in words how vital it was. Had that gone in, Mohun Bagan would have made a comeback but that's the thing with Bello, he gives his 100%, be it in a match or practice. He has shown his capability in Kolkata League, and here he replicated the same. We train hard as a team and work hard till the end to win any game and that was reflected in his die-hard attitude.
In the recent past, you haven't got enough playing time. Reports and rumours were rife that there were ego clashes between Biswajit Bhattacharya (East Bengal coach) and you. Is this true or were you being left out as a part of coach's strategy?
To be honest, I was not happy with my performance, I felt that I wasn't able to give my best. I knew I had the quality to do something special but constantly disappointed the fans. But I kept on trying and thanks to the almighty that I was able to give my best when it mattered the most
It is now a three-way battle between East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC. Today Bengaluru won their game against Mumbai FC and have maintained their second spot. So what is the plan for the next four rounds?
Just two weeks back, people were thinking that we were out of the title race but see now, with this win, we are pretty much back in it. So from here on anything can happen. It doesn't matter what Bengaluru and Mohun Bagan are doing, we have to win our remaining games to take a shot at the title.
East Bengal legend Bhaichung Bhutia was in attendance with his children (AFP)
After a long time the Kolkata derby was played outside the city. What was the experience in this new atmosphere at Siliguri?
I had imagined that just like Kolkata, where half of the Stadium is filled with our fans and the rest half with Mohun Bagan fans, here also the same thing would happen. But I was very much surprised to see East Bengal supporters outnumbering our rivals. It was an absolutely unbelievable atmosphere. All I want to tell the East Bengal supporters is that the title race is very much alive and they should keep faith in us and back us to the hilt.
East Bengal supporters came in huge numbers to cheer their team to glory (AFP)
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