"Hero of the Match" Kean Lewis dedicates his performance to family and coach Sanjay Sen

HANDED HIS FIRST START since the I-League season opener against Aizawl FC, Mohun Bagan attacker Kean Lewis put in a memorable shift against Bengaluru FC at Kanteerava last night, for which he received the Hero of the match award.

Lewis, who started the season at Mohun Bagan playing mostly as a left-winger, worked hard to establish himself as a right winger ever since Sony Norde re-joined the Mohun Bagan squad during the I-League.

Before last night, he had made two top-tier appearances for Bagan; against Aizawl FC in I-League and against Shandong Luneng in the AFC Champion League qualifiers. He came close to scoring in both games, hitting the post each time.

Last night he didn't hit quite find the woodwork but his pacy prsence in the right flank caused constant trouble for Bengaluru FC and he created multiple chances. His efforts were recognized with the Hero of the Match award after Mohun Bagan secured a 2-0 win over the Blues at Kanteerava.

Speaking about the performance, the former Houston Dynamos U-23 player dedicated it to his family,

"It's for my folks. My immediate family came to see me play against Mumbai FC at Cooperage but couldn't. Some of them followed me to Bengaluru. So I'm glad that I could play while they were watching."

Lewis had spoken in-depth about the role his family has played in his journey as a footballer in a prior interview with TFG. However, the Thane lad didn't forget to include Sanjay Sen, the Mohun Bagan head coach, in his thoughts,

"I'll dedicate this to the coach as well. For believing in me."

When TFG asked Sanjay Sen what he thought of Kean's performance, he said,

"He's a very hungry player. I've been observing him and others very closely for a long time. If they put in the hard work, the chance will always come to them."