Coach Shabbir had words of praise for all his 21 players who helped Mohammedan Sporting qualify for the I-League for the second time this season.

Even players like Basudeb Mondal and K Kulothungan, who had to go through most of the matches watching the action from the sidelines, made a huge contribution to the team’s success through their continuous inspiration to the first eleven in all the matches, reckons Shabbir.

Speaking to The Indian Express on this issue, Shabbir said: “It was team spirit that guided us to the I-League. And by that I mean team spirit in the form of contribution of those players who were not fielded in most of the matches, but who nevertheless inspired the others who played in the matches. So, I am in favour of retaining those who had a consistent show in the I-League qualifiers, along with some experienced players whose experience can help the team in a gruelling championship like I-League.”

The coach, who ascribes this Mohamedan Sporting side’s success as only next to the qualification effort of Salgaocar SC in the I-League a few years ago, is unlikely to run after so-called ‘branded’ senior star footballers. Instead, he said his stress will be on focusing on quality junior players. Picking up from there, the experienced coach is planning to go to Kashmir to watch the forthcoming senior national championship Santoh Trophy.

At the same time, having watched the recently-concluded I-League qualifier, coach Shabbir has spotted a few promising players from teams like Indian Bank and Pune FC. He wants to place those names before the club management this week at a meeting before he goes back home to spend holidays.

In addition, the coach seems a little more careful regarding the nature of freedom he wants from the club. “Considering the depth of the tournament, the I-League is hugely different from the league’s qualifiers. It is the toughest show in Indian soccer now. And I want the club officials realise this fact. The players’ as well as coaches’ performances should be assessed but through a sensible committee that will consist of those officials who are involved in everyday football affairs.”