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This is an archive article published on September 5, 2013

The Conroy Cordon

Experienced defender Remedios leads from the backline for Customs

After a comprehensive 5-2 win in their second game of the Mumbai Super League,Mumbai Custom’s forward line was rightfully praised for its perserverence in front of the RCF goal. Yet,on a day when the opposition was new and their style of play was unknown,it was the backline that played a key role to ensure the large margin of victory remained certain. Marshalling the troops from the back of the Customs defence was a tall and skinny figure of the 33-year old Conroy Remedios.

Taking up the sport as a schoolboy at St. Blaise,Andheri,the veteran has come a long way and made provisions to give back to the national sport by serving as the coach for the Mumbai Under-17 boys hockey team. “I enjoy coaching,” he says. “I love the sport and that’s what keeps me going. Coaching helps me keep fit myself and also helps me better my own game.”

Remedios claims that the talent at the under-17 level has the potential of playing at the highest levels. “They are very good players and they love playing,” he says. “But they have to make sure their academics are maintianed and that cuts down their practice time.” Remedios goes further to claim that coaching also adds further pressure on him as a player. “As their coach,I need to make sure I don’t make mistake that I warn them against because I have to set an example of myself for them to follow. But I do encourage them to come forward and let me know when I’m making a mistake. Afterall,I too am a player and am still learning.”

In terms of the game against RCF,the veteran’s contribution in the match was particularly emphasised by the player-coach,Rahul Singh. “He is the team’s pillar in defence,” he says. “Our tactics were to control the speed of the game since RCF has a young and fast team,and Conroy’s ability to control the pace from the back was crucial.” Singh’s comments were personified by the lively display projected by the tall and skinny Remedios.

Throughout the game,he maintained his position as the last man in defence,his tall figure helping him maintain a dominating command over the opponents. While keeping his own game in check,the veteran was constantly commanding his teammates in terms of positioning. His responsible nature in the sport also saw him moving to fill gaps left by fellow defenders when that player moved forward for an attack.

Looking forward,the defender claims to have another five years left before he retires as a player,after which he intends to take up full-time coaching.

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