With the aim of adding more depth to the team, Mumbai FC has completed the signings of vastly experienced players Clifford Miranda and Sandip Nandy for the remainder of the I-League season 2015-2016. Both the former Indian stars, Miranda and Nandy have the joined the Mumbai club on loan from ISL outfits Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala Blasters respectively.
Clifford Miranda
Miranda, an industrious left winger, started his playing career with Salcette FC Under-16 team and later honed his skills at the Tata Football Academy for a period of four years. After graduating from TFA, Miranda joined his home state club Dempo, and enjoyed an illustrious stint, winning five NFL/I-League pennants, two Super Cups and a Federation Cup titles.
The Goan midfielder also had a successful career with the Indian team. Making his debut against Pakistan, Miranda became a regular with the National team and under coach Bob Houghton he developed into an attacking left half. His major achievements with the Indian team, was winning the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009 & 2012), AFC Challenge Cup 2008 and SAFF Cup 2011.
Sandip Nandy
After signing on the dotted line with Mumbai FC, Miranda said: “It’s going to be really exciting playing here for this club. Mumbai FC has always been a difficult team to beat. I along with my new teammates want to help the club move higher up the table and I believe we can achieve it.”
Nandy, a courageous and agile goalkeeper, had a dream professional debut winning the NFL title with Mohun Bagan in 1999 and continued to earn more laurels and accolades. The strong-built goalkeeper Nandy soon joined Subhas Bhowmick’s all-conquering East Bengal squad and added two more NFL titles to his cabinet besides the prestigious ASEAN Club Championship in 2003, where he was adjudged best goalkeeper. His scintillating form in 2012-13 earned him a recall to the national team at age 38 after a gap of seven years.
After completing the signing formalities Nandy said: “I spent five year’s playing for Mahindra United, and I’m very happy to be back in the city. The renovated Cooperage football stadium looks brilliant and I just can’t wait to make my first appearance with the home support backing the team.”
Meanwhile, Mumbai FC manager Henry Picardo was glad that the duo of Miranda and Nandy have come aboard. “We started the season well, but later we faced quite a number of injury worries and have started to find the going a bit tough. That’s the reason we have brought in two of the most experienced players in Indian football in Clifford and Sandip.
They have both played at the highest level and will bring much needed depth to the squad,” Picardo emphasized.
Picardo also mentioned that both the players could be considered for selection for the match against Sporting Clube de Goa on Saturday, February 27.