Before his boys’ next crucial encounter against East Bengal in the ongoing Under-21 Youth Football League east zone qualifier on 10th April at Kalyani, Mohammedan Sporting coach Debraj Chatterjee does not seem concerned about the result. Among the seven participants in the ongoing east zone qualifiers, Mohammedan Sporting juniors have ensured a place in the top three. The two other teams are East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. All these three teams will play each other twice in the league and the first two teams will qualify for the next round based on their points.

Debraj has a sufficient experience in coaching. He was with United Sports as assistant coach for two years and worked as the head coach of the team in the under-18 I-League as well as with Pathachakra.  Interestingly, under his guidance, Kidderpore qualified for the Super Six in Kolkata Premier League last year. 

However, the D-license holder coach commenting on the Mohammedan Sporting youth team said, "First of all, during the discussion with the club's top brass I told them I must be in the scouting process while building up the team. Secondly, I convinced them, as it is a part of the youth development program we should not focus on the result only. Rather, my mission will be to guide the boys in a way so that they can be promoted to the club’s senior team in near future. I can already say that more than five footballers from this youth team are potential and following their performance in the ongoing Youth League can get into the senior team next season. If that happens I will be the happiest person. I am thankful to Dipak Singh, the director of the club’s investor in this issue. He also has supported my mission.” 

But at the same time, Debraj lamented saying, “We finished our selection trials to build up the youth team on the 10th of the last month and started our campaign in the Youth League within only four days, on 14th March. So, we could not make any training before the League."

Debraj expressed gratitude towards the club’s top brass including football secretary Dipendu Biswas for supporting him continuously. He especially mentioned Belal Ahmed’s name commenting, “He had a great contribution in the scouting of the footballers. If he was not active in helping me find out footballers and organizing selection trials within such a short period, the team would not have reached among the top three teams here.” 

According to plans, the club will make a long-term contract with these under-21 boys to nurture them properly. Even it is learned that this under-21 youth team is likely to take part in the Kolkata Premier League next season. 

However, commenting on their next crucial match, the coach stated, "We will start as an underdog against East Bengal, but will try our best."