People can expect 100% from me: Andre Moritz

What made you decide to play in the Indian Super League?I was in South Korea and had just signed a big contract with Pohang Steelers. Then I received a call from an Indian agent who had the contract with Mumbai City FC. They said that coach, Peter Reid, would like to have me in the team for the ISL. They sent me the offer and I immediately signed it. It all happened in a day's time.Did you have to think a lot about joining this new league?No, not really. First of all, it was good timing. I had three months of time to join the team in South Korea because the season starts in March. I'd rather be playing here than not playing at all for three months. Secondly, it was good because I get to be a part of Indian history. I like playing football obviously, so it's good to come here to have some game time. I knew that it would be a good thing for my career.Why did you decide to leave England after playing for Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers? Was it a difficult decision to leave?It wasn't difficult decision as such. I had plans to play and experience the football culture there (England). I think I conquered that. I needed to take the next step. Then I got a really good offer from (Pohang) Steelers. It's the most successful club in Asia having won the most AFC Champions League titles (three). They are really big. I think I joined there because I wanted to play somewhere else.In the first game that you started for Mumbai, you scored an amazing hat-trick. Do you think that people are expecting a lot from you after that performance?I'm a football player. When you have a good CV and perform well, people expect a lot from you. I do what I do because I love playing. Every time I enter the pitch, I look to have fun and do the best I can. So people can expect 100 per cent from me whenever I'm on the pitch.And how are you adapting to the Indian conditions?It's very different from England. But football is the same language everywhere in the world. The club has provided us excellent facilities. We're staying in one of the best hotels. We have great food, and our nutritionist takes care of our diet. The staff and physios are excellent. We have everything we need. They've taken care of everything and so I've adapted well.Do you think three months are enough for a league?Three months are more than enough I think. I mean, we have only eight teams in the league. Other leagues go on for seven-eight months, but they have 20 teams.The games are just four days apart. Doesn't that take a toll on a player?Honestly, I prefer playing than training. So for me, to be playing every four days is really good. I really enjoy it.How is it teaming up with Nicolas Anelka on top?He's a great player. He's a France international and has played for so many of the top clubs. It's good to have an experienced player like him. He knows how to score, and the way he controls the tempo of the game is magnificent. He know exactly when to push or slow the game down.Are you impressed by Indian players in the squad?The good thing about Indian players is that all of them want to improve. Everybody is trying hard, pushing themselves to the maximum. That's an essential quality if you want to reach somewhere in life.Which departments do you think they need to improve?I think you must have the will to improve. I've seen so many talented players who've never made it, but at the same time I've seen people succeed, who nobody was sure if they would make it. Those were the same people who would make a lot of sacrifices. They'd sleep early and be an hour early at training.What steps must India take in order to become a better footballing nation?Setting up academies is the most important thing. Brazil is strong in football primarily because of that. Thirteen-fourteen-year-old players are getting paid. They have professional contracts. They have good facilities and stay in a hotel together. They train everyday. Of course, if you want to improve football, you need to start coaching kids of seven-eight.Did you know?Moritz's hat-trick against FC Pune City on October 18 was the first and only hat-trick in ISL so farKNOW MORITZFull name: Andre Francisco MoritzDate of birth: August 6, 1986; Florianopolis, BrazilHeight: 1.87mPosition: Attacking midfielderNotable teams: Fluminense (2006-2007), Crystal Palace (2012-2013), Bolton Wanderers (2013-2014)