Rantys goal is to score By CHARLES DE SOUZA
Ranty Martins is a striker par excellence scoring goals is what Rant Martins does for a living. And for the 2004-2005 season that he has been Dempo Sports Club in India. Ranty has done an extremely good job of it. As the summer sun warms up and the training session gathers pace, a young 19yrs lad, who hails from the land football is considered next to religion Nigeria catches the eys with his dribbing skills and penchant for target practice. Cries of Ranty, Ranty, Ranty echo around the Goa University Grounds as the ball rolls to his feet. A quick turn to shake off the defender and a moment latter, the ball is buried into the goal. In the humble environs that house a rich and glorious heritage, Ranty Martins has found his home scoring goals crucial match winning goals and becoming an important part in the success stories of Federation Cup Champion Club, Nigeria Soccer son has well and truly arrived on the Goa and India scene. Its been a wonderful experience says Ranty martins about his first season in Goa. Its has been very tough too he adds. But Ranty Martins has adapted well. In a season marked by highly consistent performance, he has scored goals in various competition. Its no surprise that Ranty Martins scored goals so far in the ongoing ONGC Cup 9th National Football League, where Dempo Sports Club occupying the second spot. Ranty Martins came in the Dempo team on the recommendation of friend countryman and stopper back Majeck Bollaji. Ranty Martins had spent a seasons in Ghana before signing up for Dempo for the product Nigeria was the top scorch in the Ghana First Division league for two years with King Faizal Club. Ranty Martins turnes out for Real Sports Club in Ghana Premier League and did what he likes best score goals. He had 15 goals in that year. He was unfamiliar with Indian consitions and took time and scored 10 goals in the Goa Professional Footbal League. His speed and precision and his penchant for scoring goals immediately set him apart. He ended up stcaling the thunder from his more famous tale Brazilian teammate Christiano Junior by scoring five goals including hatrick in the Federation Cup. I love to score goals, as a striker that is my profession said Ranty. But he put his achievements in perspective. Tougher defender failed to stop him. How could the evidently weaker defences in India check his goal scoring abilities? The modest Ranty admits that he was found allies in Late Christiano Junior and R. C. Prakash, whom he has tremendouns understanding and teammates Marios Soares, Jose Colaco, Riston Reodrigues and Clifford Miranda. They have provided some time passes for me to convent he said in acknowledgement I always study whether a goalkeeper deals easily with aerial shots better or low grounders. This is evident from their previous games or after a few minutes in any match. That helps to me do decide how I should try to beat him. I always have a mental picture of his positioning as I advance with the ball. Placing or shooting accordingly enables me to score, revealed Ranty Martins. What about the level of play in India? Well, there are some very good players. And the standard has been pretty good though some matches were pedestrian said Ranty. Ranty Martins has settles is nicely with Dempo and delightful football so far which warmed the hearts of lovers of the game. Whether these fans have seen the last striker is left to be seen. But for the time being he along with his countryman Bollaji in the team are focused with the job on hand. It is great that Dempo won the top spot in the NFL, Ranty says.
