ATK Mohun Bagan’s new hero Kiyan Nassiri has set his next target. “My aim is to get more game-time. And for that I will have to work hard. Yes, everyone wants to play for the national team. But, to do that, I need to go step-by-step and do better things in training. If I improve myself, I’ll get my chances,” Kiyan, who scored a hat-trick on his ISL VIII Derby debut against SC East Bengal on Saturday, said.
Kiyan, son of former East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting player Jamshid, was the third player to score a treble in a Derby after Bhaichung Bhutia (for East Bengal in 1997) and Chidi Edeh (for Mohun Bagan in 2009).
“I’m very happy. I have put my name up there with two Indian club football icons. I have seen them play during my early days and both of them are my heroes,” Kiyan said.
Having seen his father make his name for himself in Indian football, he knows what it takes to sustain a football career for a long time. So without getting carried away, he thanked teammates for his memorable Saturday night.
“I want to dedicate the hat-trick to the team. Without them it’s not possible. They have always had my back since the beginning of the season. I haven’t spoken to my dad till now. Generally I do not speak to my family about football. That’s kind of a rule I follow,” he said.
“Given the situation we are in, the bubble and everything, it’s tough for everyone. But everyone in the team is very supportive. We push each other everyday so it makes it easier,” he added.
The 21-year-old said it was a dream come true moment for him to score in a Derby. “It’s every footballer’s dream to score in a Derby. It’s yet to sink in. But at the same time, I play either as a winger or a striker. So my primary job is to score. I am grateful to coach (Juan Ferrando) for giving me the chance. ATK Mohun Bagan have so many star footballers. So for a junior like me to get a look-in that too in a Derby was a huge thing. Just to score in a Derby will not help. I will try to give my best whenever I am called into action. When we were travelling to the ground from the team base I thought I would have no chance to play. But fate had other ideas,” he said.
Kiyan idolises Lionel Messi. “Whenever I am free I watch his videos.” A young Messi had scored his first hat-trick against Real Madrid in a 3-3 draw back in 2006-07.
Coach Ferrando heaped praise on Saturday’s treble hero. “I know the history. I’m happy. I’m happy for Kiyan because he’s working hard in the training. He’s improving a lot in training sessions and today (Saturday) when the game was in a very difficult moment, we decided to change the system. We used Kiyan like a No. 9. And of course, I’m very happy about his success in this role because he’s a young player. When a young player has amazing games, I’m very happy.”
