Subrata Pal Interview: "India can surely break into Top-100 in rankings"

Subrata Pal has been one of the country’s most dependable goalkeepers, more so when he is donning the national jersey. A string of impressive performances on the international stage over the years has only enhanced his reputation as India’s go-to-man when it comes to guarding the Blue Tigers’ citadel.

After a not-so-impressive stint with Prayag United in the I-League, Subrata is keyed up for the February 6 international friendly against Palestine to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.

“I’m really focused on faring well against Palestine. I don’t want to think on what I did for Prayag United in the I-League. I’m training hard and want to do well for my country,” the soft-spoken goalie says in an exclusive interview to Sportskeeda.

There is always a line of thinking that the Indian team’s FIFA world ranking of 166 doesn’t quite justify their true potential. Subrata feels that playing more international friendlies would help the country climb up the rankings ladder.

“We just need to play more international friendlies, it’s as simple as that. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is doing a fine job of arranging international friendlies and this augurs well for the team. There is no shortage of football talent in India; I’m sure if we continue playing more international friendlies, we can surely break into the top-100,” he says, oozing confidence.

The likes of Bhaichung Bhutia (Bury FC) and Sunil Chhetri (Kansas City Wizards and Sporting Lisbon ‘B) have done the country proud, going on to ply their trade in foreign leagues. Does he believe that he is good enough to play club football overseas?

“I want to play club football overseas if an opportunity comes along, although I know it’s not so easy. European clubs for example need a goalkeeper to have a minimum height is six feet four inches or six feet five inches, so physically we lack in this aspect. Bhaichung (Bhutia) da and Sunil (Chhetri) have shown us the way – I feel proud to have played alongside them. If I don’t ever get a chance to play club football overseas, I would sincerely wish that some of the upcoming youngsters get an opportunity to play, because trust me, there is so much football talent in India,” he says matter-of-factly.

The 26-year-old footballer has no doubts that some of his team-mates definitely fit the bill to play in the best clubs of Asia.

“The likes of Gouramangi Singh, Manandeep Singh, Jewel Raja, Raju Gaikwad are youngsters, who have the skills to play at least in the top clubs of Asia.”

Talking of Indian footballers playing club football in foreign leagues, there is a perception that the marketing of Indian footballers is far from being organized. What is his take?

“You have raised a good point. Marketing of Indian footballers is still not so organized, but things are changing and will only get better in the future.”

Subrata, who turns out for big-spending Prayag United in the I-League, reckons the standard of I-League has improved by leaps and bounds. “The presence of quality foreign players has definitely raised the standard of I-league. Indian players are learning all the time and this bodes well for the sport in the country.”

Subrata has achieved a lot wearing the national jersey under the bar. He was one of India’s star performers at both the 2007 and 2009 Nehru Cup tournaments, which India won, pipping Syria on both occasions among other notable highs.

But the biggest high for Subrata was when India won the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup to book their berth in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup (held in Qatar) after a gap of 27 years.

“It was a great moment for me and my team-mates. I and Gouramangi (Singh) were juniors then, while seniors like Baichungda, Rennedy Singh were also part of the team. We celebrated big-time after we secured our Asian Cup berth,” he recalls fondly.

The Indian goalkeeper, who has received the best goalkeeper award thrice in the I-League, says that a good showing against Palestine would hugely lift the morale of the team ahead of the 2013 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to be held at Myanmar.

“A good performance against Palestine will boost our morale as we prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers which will be held in March. We hope to grab one of the seven berths up for grabs for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup finals (to be held in Maldives) – the winner going on to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup slated to be held in Australia.”

Surprisingly, unlike most players, Subrata, who has made 46 international appearances for India, doesn’t have any set goals that he intends to achieve. “There is never any end to what one wants to achieve. My job is to keep working hard and leave the rest to the Almighty. I don’t have any expectations as to I want to achieve this and that,” quips the demure footballer, who is nicknamed ‘Mistu’. So how did that sobriquet ‘Mistu’ come about? “I think people find me sweet-natured,” he signs off.