Panaji:

Sports Club winger

is preparing to test himself against the best in business after earning a two-week trial-cum-training stint with Spanish

side,

CF.

Mandar will fly out to Spain on Saturday and is confident that he can attract attention at a team which finished fourth in the La Liga last season behind traditional giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

“I think I can impress them. As of now, I am going there for two weeks to train and if everything goes well, they will let me know if they are interested in me continuing for a longer period. I am excited at this opportunity,” Mandar told TOI before packing his bags for Spain.

According to sources, Mandar will join the first team training session for the first time on Monday and return home just before the La Liga season kicks-off. Villareal has a reserve team as well and should Mandar do enough to impress the coaching staff at both ends, the stylish midfielder can hope for an extended stay.

“I feel good about myself at the moment. Our last competitive match (with Dempo) was in May and then there was a break before pre-season started this week. But all along I have kept myself fit, going to the gymnasium and running on the beach. I was training with the ISL in mind and got this invitation only last week.

“As you must have seen, I did well with

for the last two years and training with quality foreign players, and of course Zico, helped me a great deal. I understand that training and impressing Villarreal will be a different ball-game altogether but I will not fall short of effort,” said Mandar.

Villareal finished fourth last season with a fantastic performance that saw them earn qualification to the UEFA Champions League play-off round. Only powerhouses like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid finished ahead of Villarreal in the league.

Villarreal lost to Liverpool 1-3 on aggregate in the Uefa Europa League semifinal.