GOA:
Kapil Hoble has been one of the leading lights for the FC Goa Developmental Team over the last couple of years, and was recently rewarded with a new contract.
His journey with the Gaurs is set to continue as a result, but it hasn’t always been easy for the former Dempo man this campaign.
“I was injured for almost half of this season,” Kapil recalls. “I had a really bad injury but luckily the club helped me with physiotherapy and gradually after a number of recovery sessions I was able to come back.” The ankle injury could easily have played on the mind of the youngster, but his mental fortitude helped him return in inspirational fashion.
“I’ll never forget making my return from injury in the 2nd Division League and scoring a goal,” he says. “It proved that I was fit and it was great for me to score immediately after returning from such a long lay-off.”
Kapil’s 2 goals in 4 matches in the 2nd Division League helped propel the Gaurs up the table, before lockdown suspended proceedings for good. The 22-year-old has lofty ambitions for the future and sees himself making it to the FC Goa senior team.
“It is my aim to play for the FC Goa first team and I want to represent the national team as well. If I continue working hard I know I can make it,” he says. When it comes to inspirations, Hoble looks closer to home, while also taking inspiration on his football from idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
“My father has really supported me in my footballing journey along with my brothers,” Kapil says. “But from a footballing point of view, I’m very inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and what he has accomplished.”
The Dev Team continues to produce some exceptional talent, and the team’s success is also often linked to the camaraderie within the group, and Kapil believes that going to each other for advice is what makes the team tick. “I’ve been lucky to be able to get some great advice from players within the team,” he remembers.
“Leander, Princeton, Nestor and Hayden, in particular, have advised me about my game which I absorb and try and incorporate into my performance.” FC Goa’s culture of promoting youth players to the first team has helped young players take a huge step forward in their careers, and with Leander D’Cunha now moving up to the first team, Kapil hopes his number could be next.
“It’s great to see Leander getting called up to the first team. It tells me that if I work hard and if I prove myself then I can also make it to that level.”
Kapil’s importance to the team as a player who can play in a variety of different positions could prove to be crucial for the club’s plans in the coming campaign, and there is no doubt that he remains ready to take any opportunity with both hands.
