Stanly Rozario joins as Director cum Head Coach of Ozone Football Academy

Ozone FCB press release

The AFC Professional Coaching License holder, Bengaluru’s Standly Rozario took charge as the Director cum Head Coach of the Ozone Football Academy. The former MEG, Services, and Karnataka midfielder comes with an extensive coaching experience. He was part of the Senior India football team as an assistant coach during the Bob Houghton era, also, he was the Head Coach of East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Salgocar, Shillong Lajong, United Sikkim, Bharat, Army XI and Services team.

With his vast coaching experience at International, National and top Indian clubs level, he stepped into a new role and accepted the challenge of managing and developing the Ozone Youth Academy. He has the experience of bringing out the best talent and performance of the players and molds them to perform at the highest level. 

Standly Rozario says, “I am excited of this new challenge. My vision is to identify the best talent and nurture the players at grass root and youth level to make them the players of tomorrow, players that will represent India one day.”

Along with his experience, he brings a calm, collected, sharp vision and winning attitude to the youth players, which will make Ozone Football Academy reach even higher heights. 

The Ozone Football Academy Bengaluru is participating in I-League's U'13, U'15 and U'18 competitions, where the U'13 and U'15 sides have won all their games, topping their groups.

Gaining confidence: Satish Kumar

Returning from the recently concluded pre-season camp today evening in Kolkata, Satish sounded ecstatic.

It has been a decent outing so far for him, tried to utilize whatsoever chance he got during the practice matches at Siliguri, and scored 2 goals.

Satish primarily played in the middle, little below the strikers, strengthening the mid-field, and lending support to the strikers.

Coach Stanly Rozario was asked about how he see the new players breaking into the team. Talking to the GardenCity Soccer Stars, the Bangalorean sounded positive.

“We have to play 50 matches in a season. I’m talking about minimum number of matches - 16 in KPL, 26 in I-league, plus Federation Cup, Durand Cup, IFA Shield, et al. No way that a single player can play that many matches”, pauses coach.

“There will be time when the players will be unavailable thru off-form and other matters, leaving aside the other important aspect, which is injury. So, every one will get a chance to show their mettle. It’s then, up to them perform, and rise in the big occasion.”

Regarding SatishKumar jr, this is what Stanly opines, “Satish like the other former Bangalore players played in Kolkata, is skillful. He is mentally strong and has a good game sense.

“He has a bright future ahead. I am sure he will be the flag bearer of the legacy set by the other great players from the garden city.” Said coach.

Knowing that it will be difficult to get into the star-studded lineup, Satish sounded genial, “I need to perform consistently well to get into the team. Hopefully, KPL will give me a chance to do that.”

Team picture courtesy: www.mohunbaganac.com

Satish Kumar Jr. reporting from Mohun Bagan ground!

Excellent training facilities to say the least, this is the basic difference between HAL, Bangalore, where I spent my last 2 years and Mohun Bangan. Moreover, the ground conditions, the backup staffs, the huge fan base just makes things more exciting.

It has been splendid going so far, just getting geared for attending the pre-season camp at Siliguri, North Bengal. I’m damn excited! We’ll leave for Siliguri on Sunday, August 15.

Being asked about the equation between the other Bangalore connection, that is the Mohun Bagan’s coach Stanley, Sathish sounded very rational, “There is no such leeway for hailing from the same city, nice thing is that that he treats everyone equal. Even though I commit any mistake, there is no such pressure. There is always a way to rectify mistakes, coach gives that much needed breathing space.” 

Satish jr. is staying in the Mohun Bagan mess at the busy Elliot road and shares the space between captain Ishfaq, Manish Maithani, and other newcomers Jacken Sebastian and Dhanrajan.

Photo courtesy: Shiladiyta Mitra

Junior the Mariner

Another new season and the flurry of city-bred players looking for greener pastures begin. The latest and probably the greatest just happened today! After having a fine season with HAL and helping them to get promoted to the 1st division I-League, Satish Kumar jr. is all set to start is next innings with the powerhouse century-old national club of India - Mohun Bagan.

The Mohun Bagan management team made a formal announcement of the team for the coming season and introduced the newly appointed coach to the media

This is not the only Bangalore connection for the Kolkata club. The coach for this season is the former Army XI player and MEG coach, Stanley Rozario. Employed with Indian Army, Rozario played all his life and started his coaching stint in Bangalore. With almost 20-years in coaching, Stanley assisted Indian

senior coach, Bob Houghton before moving to EastBangal. After coaching them for half-a-season, he moved to Salgoankar, helped them to get a I-League 1st division promotion, and then took the charge of Shillong Lajong FC last season. He is back in Kolkata to start his second innings with the green and maroon brigade.

Speaking about Bangalore connection with the Garden City Soccer Stars, coach sounded optimistic. Stanley knows very little about Satish Kumar jr. However, whatever knowedge he has gathered about the nippy player from Gowthampuram is impressive.

“Heard that he had an excellent season with HAL and he posses a superb football sense. I’m looking forward to work with him!” said Stanley.

Satish Kumar is aware of the fact he won’t be an automatic choice for the first-11.  He says, “I’ll give my best performace in the practice sessions, impress the coach, and hopefully he’ll give me a chance to perform.”

Satish Kumar sounds confident, “I am comfortable playing in the right and left half positions. In the final round I-League 2nd division matches, I played as a striker and scored many goals.”

Bangalore has a rich tradition of players turning out for Mohunbagan. Arumanaigam in the 60’s, Ulaganathan in the 70’s, Babu Mani and Mastaan Ahmed in the 80’s, RC Prakash in the late 90’s and early 2000 to Noel Wilson and Shanmugam Venkatesh few seasons ago.

Satish is seeking help from Arumanaigam, Ulaganathan, R C Prakash about playing in Kolkata. “They are like my gurdian and providing valuable tips. It is not only about playing a nice game, scoring also matters” chips in Satish Kumar.

The football district of Bangalore, Gowthampuram has produced several Olympians and Internationals, it is upto Satish Kumar jr. to carry-on the flag. He has a task to cut out and he is jolly well up for it.

Garden City Soccer Stars wishes Satish all the luck! Go for it boy, the Bangalore football lovers are behind you!