Rahim Nabi - Best player of McDowell Mohun Bagan for season 2011-12

Rahim Nabi has been declared as McDowell Mohun Bagan player of the season 2011-12. He will receive the Karuna Bhattacharya Award on Mohun Bagan day this year i.e. 29th July, 2012. This award was started from the last year when cadet of Mohun Bagan SAIL Football Academy, Sonu Kumar, got the award.

This was Rahim Nabi's first year in McDowell Mohun Bagan and he also was named the Indian Player of the Year in the Football Players Association of India's Indian Football Awards.

We had a chat with him after today's practice session.

What is your feeling on being selected as the best player of Mohun Bagan?

Nabi: Last year was my first year in Mohun Bagan and getting this award in the first season itself is a big honour for me. Also getting this award in a big club like Mohun Bagan is a very special thing for me. This year I will try hard to continue with my good performance.

Which was your best match in the last season?

Nabi: The match against Dempo in Kolkata (the match ended in a 2-2 draw) and the away match against Churchill Brothers (Mariners won 3-2).

Your best goal in the last season?

Nabi: The goal against Lajong in Salt Lake Stadium. We won the match 6-1, I scored the 1st goal of the match. Getting the ball from Jose Barreto, I got the ball inside Lajong penalty box. Then I dribbled past one defender before lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper's head which went inside goal.

Your best assist in the last season?

Nabi: In the match against Churchill Brothers in Goa, I was playing in the left back position, but I switched flanks in between and sent a cross from the right side from which Odafa scored a goal.

Do you have any regret in the last season?

Nabi: Definitely, at one point we were in a good position in the I league and one of the front-runners to clinch the title, but then we fell out of the race.

What will be your target this season?

Nabi: To reach the final of all the tournaments and then will try to win them.