Exclusive: We have the best set of foreigners – Mohammedan Sporting’s Collin Abranches

A product of the Mahindra United youth system, Collin started playing football when he was in the second standard but only started considering the beautiful game as a career option when he was 13.

“I got a chance in the youth academy of Mahindra United when I was 13 and it was then that I wanted to become a professional with Santosh Kashyap explaining me how things were. It was different from Goa and Kolkata of course as no one really knew much about football as a profession back then because besides Mahindra and Air India there were hardly any clubs. But I always had full support from my parents,” he recalled.

Collin is a very versatile player as he is also capable of playing as a wide midfielder but left back remains his best and favourite position. He currently idolises Barcelona’s Jordi Alba but has an Indian role model also.

“When I was in school I was a central midfielder and later I played as a striker as well. My favourite position would be on the wings either wing half or wing back but ideally as left wingback. From Indian football, I have always been a fan of Debabrata Roy. He is a close friend of mine and used to speak to me regularly when I was at Mahindra. Even Steven Dias is someone I like.

“From abroad I like Jordi Alba now. I used to be a good fan of Ashley Cole but it has changed now as I enjoy watching Alba,” he opined.

One coach who has influenced Collin’s career hugely is former Air India and Mohun Bagan coach Santosh Kashyap, who is currently in charge of Shillong-based newly-promoted I-League club Rangdajied United.

“I started under Santosh Kashyap in the Mahindra United youth team but then I joined the club which I never thought I would. Yusuf Ansari gave me a contract at Air India and since it was a Mumbai team I decided to take the opportunity because I was too young and didn’t want to move outside that time.

“It was good over there, young players got a chance and later I was even luckier that Santosh Kashyap took charge. So I decided to stay for the second season as well and it was much better then,” he said.

Collin, who will turn 22 in December, was part of the India U-22 camp last year and his next aim now is to break into the senior national team. The youngster will face some difficulties to adjust to life in Kolkata but he is relishing that challenge.

“All that (cultural differences) happens and I faced it last year also. This is my second year out of home but that’s part of being a footballer. Right now I just want to play good football and help my team achieve its targets,” he concluded.