Image credit: sc_eastbengal@Twitter

The first Kolkata derby in the history of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) is set to take place on November 27 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco, and SC East Bengal’s Congolese midfielder Jacques reckons there couldn’t have been a better opposition than ATK Mohun Bagan to kick off their 2020-21 campaign against.

“It’s a new challenge, a new adventure and I can’t wait to play the first game on November 27. What a great way to start by playing the first game against the rivals,” the midfielder told goal.com.

Jacques spent five fruitful seasons with English club Birmingham City before joining the Kolkata giants in the Hero ISL last month. Talking about how he got introduced to the league, the 33-year-old said: “I had watched some of the games on TV but I knew that a lot of superstars, who are well respected across the world, had come here to play. For me, it was a challenge for a new adventure in my career. So, I was certainly excited when the offer came.”

The midfielder also revealed that the presence of the legendary Robbie Fowler as Head Coach at SC East Bengal influenced his decision a great deal in terms of coming over to the club. “While growing up, Robbie Fowler was someone that I would look up to in the football world. He had an amazing ability to score any type of goal with both his feet. He is a legend. So, he made it easier for me to come over here and work under such a legend,” he said.

With SC East Bengal’s opening fixture against ATK Mohun Bagan just a fortnight away, Jacques asserted that his team is clear as to what they want from the upcoming campaign. “We know our ambition and what we need to achieve. We know everything that we need to do. We can’t worry about how other teams are preparing. I can only say that we are preparing right,” he said.