Victorino Fernandez still remembers the contribution of Oscar Bruzon who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday morning to take over the charge of beleaguered East Bengal’s coach after a gap of seven years. 

One of his leading students in Indian football, Victorino Fernandes, who played under Oscar Bruzon at Sporting Clube De Goa in 2013, believes the red-and-gold brigade will now bounce back under this Spanish coach's guidance.

Oscar Bruzon’s guidance helped Sporting Clube De Goa to become runner-up in the Federation Cup in his very first year in 2013, losing to Churchill Brothers by 1-3. Victorino Fernandes scored the only goal for Sporting Clube De Goa.

Speaking from Margao over the phone on Saturday, Victorino revealed, "Oscar always stressed the players' fitness and he always asked us to try to exhibit pressing football. That is the reason I feel East Bengal will bounce back now. I feel the main reason behind the red-and-gold brigade's miserable show in the ongoing ISL is injury and lack of fitness. Oscar’s style of coaching will uplift the standard of their game I believe now.”

Victorino added, "I could be able to play for India also due to Oscar. He taught us a lot of things about the game. Sporting Club de Goa had shining days during his time. I also played under his coaching at Mumbai FC in 2017. He liked me, and advised me how to develop my game." 

The 35-year-old footballer who plays football nowadays to keep himself fit, divulged he would meet Oscar when he is in Goa with East Bengal in the ISL.