Being Mumbai City FC's all-time top goalscorer sounds good, but I want more: Bipin Singh
Bipin Singh spoke to indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive chat after the game against Odisha FC about his record, his journey with Mumbai City FC so far and the return of fans in the stands. Here are the excerpts from the interview:
Bipin Singh was a pacy, hardworking winger that could play in more positions than one when he joined Mumbai City FC ahead of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 season.
Bipin had spent just one season in Hero ISL with ATK FC after a two-season spell with Shillong Lajong in the Hero I-League.
He was far from being a consistent starter and a genuine goal threat.
Even at Mumbai City FC, Bipin needed time to show his qualities. He played just six matches out of 22 under then head coach Jorge Costa which also included appearances as a full-back.
It was under Sergio Lobera that Bipin's potential was unlocked and he ended the Hero ISL 2020-21 season with six goals that included the all-important late winner against ATK Mohun Bagan in the final.
Bipin had never looked back since and is now one of the first names of the teamsheet even under Des Buckingham.
Having scored six goals in the Hero ISL again last season, Bipin opened his account in Hero ISL 2022-23 campaign against Odisha FC on Saturday.
The goal helped become the joint all-time leading goalscorer for Mumbai City FC in the Hero ISL and the outright top goalscorer for the club in all competitions.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭-𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐈𝐒𝐋! 🏅#LetsFootball #MumbaiCityFC #BipinSingh | @bipin_thounajam @MumbaiCityFC pic.twitter.com/JfSKzSRxcd
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 16, 2022
Bipin spoke to indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive chat after the game against Odisha FC about his record, his journey with Mumbai City FC so far and the return of fans in the stands.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
You are now the joint all-time leading goalscorer for Mumbai City FC. It's quite an achievement playing for such a big club. Can you sum up your feelings?
It sounds good. But this is just the start of the season for us. My aim is to score many more goals for the club. I am going to work hard towards that target. It's important to keep going.
I knew I needed just one goal to become joint all-time leading goalscorer for Mumbai City FC before the game but I wanted to score more than one goal. I wanted to score as many as I can. In the end, I am happy to be on the scoresheet.
This is your fifth season with Mumbai City FC. What difference do you see between the Bipin Singh that joined the club and the Bipin Singh who is now its joint all-time leading goalscorer?
There is no difference. I am the same person. My endeavour is to always improve as a player and I will continue to do that.
Since joining the club, I have improved a bit but I want to continue to get better as a player.
I never thought that I would become Mumbai City FC's all-time joint top goalscorer when I joined in 2018 but I came here with a mentality to score as many goals as possible and maybe even break records. That's what was in my mind and I am happy I have done this.
Double delight for @bipin_thounajam as he becomes the joint 🔝 goalscorer for @MumbaiCityFC in the #HeroISL alongside Modou Sougou after securing the three points and netting his 15th goal for the club! 💥#MCFCOFC #LetsFootball #MumbaiCityFC #OdishaFC pic.twitter.com/8S6A1Wu9Rs
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 15, 2022
You were able to play in front of home fans after a gap of over two years and to equal the record on this special occasion must be a great feeling. How do you feel about it?
I was missing playing at home a lot during the last two years. For me, today was all about playing well for the fans and sending them home happy. I am glad we won and I was able to do well.
It was a great feeling to see the fans again and support us the way they did.
You have always played as a winger at Mumbai City FC and still managed to score a lot of goals. What makes you such a threat?
I feel it's important to read the game well and get into scoring positions at the right time. Then it also takes a lot of running and hard work on the pitch.
I want to keep working hard and scoring as many goals as possible.