The Kolkata Derby has a particular that means for all of the devoted supporters of Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC. However, its significance embraces an altogether fascinating form within the Nassiri family, with father Jamshid Nassiri who’s an East Bengal FC stalwart and son Kiyan Nassiri Giri who is without doubt one of the distinguished prospects of the Mariners. Kiyan joined Mohun Bagan Super Giant as a youth star in 2019 and has steadily labored his approach as much as turn out to be an essential member of the primary crew.
Whilst he goes about cementing a spot within the beginning XI, Kiyan made heads flip in January 2022, when he scored a hat-trick in opposition to East Bengal FC to assist the Mariners to a victory within the well-known Kolkata Derby within the ISL.
His father Jamshid has a particular affiliation with East Bengal FC, having gained the Federation Cup, and the IFA Shield amongst different high honours with the Red & Gold Brigade again within the Nineteen Eighties.
For Kiyan to search out his calling for his or her arch-rivals in opposition to the identical crew absolutely made heads flip inside the household. Having come on as an alternative to Deepak Tangri, Kiyan struck thrice within the final half-hour to turn out to be the youngest hat-trick scorer in ISL historical past.
“I would tell my dad that I beat his team”
“To me, it was very shocking. Because, I didn’t really think of it as a big thing. But it was very massive, not just for me and my family but also all the supporters. My dad has played for East Bengal FC his whole life and I am on the other side. I was living in the moment, but thinking now also, it’s the past now and hence I look forward to the next derby,” he recollects the reception he obtained after the match.
Kiyan provides, “At home, it’s not really any rivalry. They just want me to play and do well, wherever that is, whether it’s a big team or a small team. But yeah like initially I would make fun of my dad that ‘You know, I beat your team.’ Plus, I scored, so he would just laugh it off. My parents are just really happy about where I am and what I have been doing.”
“Football was always the path I wanted to choose”
Coming from footballing lineage, there’s strain on Kiyan’s shoulders to stay as much as the legacy of his father. Jamshid was born within the Iranian metropolis of Khorramshahr and he first forayed into Indian soccer by signing for East Bengal FC in 1980. He was heralded as probably the most costly international recruits again then and he additionally turned up for an additional big of Kolkata soccer – Mohammedan SC. Jamshid developed a passion for India and determined to remain again within the City of Joy after hanging his boots as a participant. Despite such a profound footballing background, Kiyan says that the skilled conversations between the 2 of them are restricted to sharing the routine pleasantries.
“Football was always the path I wanted to choose and go by. My father and mother played a big role in it. They supported it. I was really happy about it, but again, conversations with my father are not really football based. It’s just small pointers here and there, but it’s not like how everyone would expect me to go home and him sitting me down to talk about the game,” he says.
“I want to play for the Indian national team”
Like most promising gamers, Kiyan hopes to benefit from the chance to show up within the high-tier and thus subsequently get referred to as up for the Blue Tigers. Kiyan speaks richly in regards to the affect of international internationals and seasoned coaches which can be part of the competitors, and he’s always striving to turn out to be a daily starter for the Mariners after which realise his aspirations of enjoying worldwide soccer.
“For me, ISL is actually the biggest league in India, and it’s very important because young boys want to play this league and you have to do really well in the ISL to get a spot in the national team. I am obviously one of them who wants to play in the national team. It’s a very big league with a lot of good teams, with teams coming in every year. It’s a big opportunity for players across India and I am very happy to be a part of the ISL,” Kiyan indicators off.
The tenth season of the ISL will host its maiden Kolkata Derby on the Salt Lake Stadium on February 3. Whilst East Bengal FC comes into the match on the again of an exceptional victory within the Kalinga Super Cup, Mohun Bagan Super Giant shall be equally upbeat and eager to show a degree below the tutelage of recent head coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
