Football does not always go how you want, have to keep working hard: Clarence

Panaji: When Clarence Fernandes made the big move from the Dempo academy to Bengaluru FC, he had dreams a plenty of proving himself in the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL). The 20-year-old waited for his opportunity before realising he must wait a bit longer.
The defender parted ways with Bengaluru FC last month, moved to Hyderabad FC, and opted to go on loan to Sporting Club Bengaluru, where he’s assured of minutes in the I-League, Indian football’s second-tier club competition.
“For now, my entire focus is to play matches in the I-League. I was in the ISL for a year, could not play (any match), so I took a step down to play matches. Now my focus is on I-League, so that I can help my team stay in the I-League,” Clarence told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Sunday.
SC Bengaluru are at the bottom of the pool with eight points at the end of the first phase. They have lost four of their last five matches, won just two from 11, but for Clarence it’s the game time that matters.
“Definitely, matches help. You can train how much you can, but in the end, it’s the matches that helps you develop,” said Clarence.
The defender has been a consistent performer at the junior level and was called up to the Indian U-16 side in 2017. Formerly with Churchill Brothers and Dempo, he has featured for the India U-15s too, travelling to Dubai for games against like UAE and Saudi Arabia.
His move to Bengaluru FC in 2022 was supposed to be a step up for someone who showed plenty of promise at the youth level. But not everything has gone according to plan.
“I’ve learned that football does not always go how you want it to go. But you just need to keep working hard. At SC Bengaluru, I am adapting, learning the tactics. I think I am ready to help the team,” said Clarence.