FC Goa travel to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to take on table-toppers Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 on Friday. The Gaurs are currently sitting on the sixth spot in the points table, but a win over the Blues would catapult them into the top four. Goa have the tag of being the free-scorers this season with the highest number of goals scored (29) thus far, thanks to their deadly Spanish combination of Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote. However, their local boy Mandar Rao Dessai has been silently influential in dictating play as well. The winger has two goals and three assists to his name, and took time to address indiansuperleague.com and share his thoughts ahead of the fixture. Here are the excerpts.

Tell us a little about your footballing journey.

I started playing football when I was in school. My principal and my physical education teacher just wanted me to play because they saw me playing in the fields next to my house, and they wanted me to just come and join them. At first, I just used to go for football practices because all my seniors were the ones who would be playing. Then slowly from school, I started getting interested in football, and then I played for the school and at the national level.

How does it feel to be a part of this FC Goa team?

We are playing good attacking football because we have good foreign players and they help us a lot. The coach also has an attacking mentality. Hence, we have scored many goals in the league.

How easy was it to gel with your teammates, on and off the pitch?

After three years with Zico, we have Sergio (Lobera) now. When we went to Spain for our pre-season, I think it was good for us in the one month we were together. We are good with each other and we have good combinations

How would you rate FC Goa’s chances of making it to the playoffs?

I think we have played fewer games in the league and we want to be in the top four. We still have a chance and we just have to win the games. I think tomorrow’s game is really important for us and we have to win it.

You scored against NorthEast United FC in the last game. Does that give you momentum going into your next game?

I was the first Indian player to score in the league this season. After that, I have missed a lot of goals and then my second came in the last game. In each and every game, I just think that I will score a goal, and I will always try my best to help my team score goals.

How is it going to be for you to play in the Sree Kanteerava Stadium against Bengaluru?

I have played against Bengaluru when I was playing for Dempo S.C. After that, I played for Bengaluru and now again, I will play against them for FC Goa. So, the ground is not new to me, but playing for FC Goa, I want to win the game against them.

How do you plan to tackle the Bengaluru defence?

We have a good attacking side, so they will be wary of that fact. They will be watching out for the players who are good in attack, especially Coro (Ferran Corominas) in the box, as well as our wingers. So, it’s not something new for us. We will play our game and we’ll see the result.