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Hours after the Indian national team got relegated to 172 in the latest FIFA Rankings, the team’s now-veteran goal keeper and hero of several international fixtures in the past, Subrata Pal talked to Sports Keeda about the failures recently, his performances for Mumbai City FC and about plying trade in European leagues.
Excerpts:
Hello Subrata, it had been a really good ISL season till you conceded 5 against Atletico de Kolkata. How is the team dealing with that?
See, whatever has happened has happened. I wouldn't want to delve in that. Our focus is on the next match.
As for not conceding goals, I think we have defended as a unit; not just the back 4 or me but everyone for that matter. We are trying to play total football here-where everyone plays in every position. So the whole unit has to be credited.
About the tournament in general, how do you think it has evolved over its tenure?
In my opinion ISL has been extremely impactful and I would like to thank the organisers for that. Over the next few years I believe we should merge it with the I League.
If that happens though, don't you think the current system which involves stalwarts like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will get diluted?
I think to improve Indian football, some things have to be sacrificed. If ISL becomes a full time tourney, all of us will improve. The national team will thus do well and we wouldn't be languishing where we are currently.
Since you mentioned the national team, its been a horrid run at the World Cup Qualifiers so far. Any comments on that?
I believe we are in a phase of transition currently. Its not that we are not playing well but somehow the wins are not coming.
I would like to assert though that we are going to put in more than 100% if there be need to win vs Guam. It would perhaps be the most important match of our lives, we really need to see this through.
Coach Stephen Constantine has drawn a lot of flak. What do you have to say about that?
Stephen is a really good coach. Its just that we haven't been getting a lot of time under him- somehow we rush to assemble before a game and then leave after the fixture.
Any message that you would to give to the fans ahead of the Guam game?
Dont lose faith in us. India has enormous footballing potential and sooner than later it will surface. Also as I said, the team is going to do everything in its capacity to halt the run of losses in Bengaluru on November 12.
