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Subrata Paul, India’s last wall in the National Football team has risen from strength to strength over the time. His contribution for the Indian Football team has been immense right from his Under-23 days. Making a foray into the India Senior in 2007, ‘The Spiderman’ played an instrumental role in india’s Nehru Cup triumph and was even adjudge the best Goalkeeper.
Again in 2008 he played a pivotal role in India’s AFC Challenge Cup win, which booked them their first Asian Cup berth in 27 years. High on confidence, he once again along with his team mates under Bob Houghton, defended their Nehru Cup from the Syrians in 2009. His splendid performance in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar earned him the title “Spiderman” when he thwart off S.Korea’s 16 shots on the goal. Chatting with Babua Biswas, he superbly thwart off all non football related question just the way he does it on the pitch.
Excerpts:Babua Biswas (BB): First and foremost, though its bit late, I would still like to congratulate you for your splendid performance in The Asian Cup.Subrata Paul: Thanks Babua.
BB: How was your overall experience of playing Asia’s biggest football tournament?Subrata Paul: It was a good experience playing against teams like Australia and S. Korea. After all we qualified after nearly 30 years. However Asian Cup is a thing of the past now and I want to forget it and move on.
BB: In the match against South Korea, they fired 20 shots on target and you saved 16 of them. Was there any sort of special preparation you undertook against them?Subrata Paul: I didn’t know about that till the next day when someone told me that I saved 16 shots on target. I don’t fine anything special or extra ordinary in it. I am a Goal Keeper and it’s my job to save shots on target. What’s the use in saving a shot off target? I play to save shots on target. That is my duty.And I didn’t make any special preparation for the Socceroos or the Koreans. I approach the game in my own usual way and try to keep things simple and give my best.
BB: How do you react to the Korean media calling you ‘Spiderman’?Subrata Paul: I wish I was really a Spiderman. I don’t pay heed to what people or media has to say. I train hard and remain focus for my next game and if I do well, half my goal is achieved and if my team wins then my goal is achieved. Paying heed to those comments might hamper one’s performance.
BB: Considering your performance in Asian Cup, there was a report that, some Korean’s and Japanese Clubs were interested in you. Have you got any offer till now?Subrata Paul: All those speculations were created in the Media. Nobody has approach me or my agents so far.
BB: With your consistent performance for the National Team and your club Pune FC, don’t you think you deserve playing in foreign clubs?Subrata Paul: Yes getting a chance to play in foreign clubs would be a great opportunity. But who am I to judge myself whether I deserve to play abroad or not. May be I don’t deserve, so I am still here. But I don’t lament for this Coz, I am enjoying my game at the moment.
BB: Ahsan Ali took over the La Liga club Racing Santader and is showing keen interest in Sunil Chhetri which is a good sign for the Indian players. Don’t you think you can also make it?Subrata Paul: It’s good some European clubs are in Indian hands but I would be happier had they invested the money in India to develop the game. If he shows interest in Sunil that is again a great thing for Indian Football. In fact we all are happy whenever any Indian gets a chance to play abroad. And as far as my chances are concern I don’t want to speak about that. Time will tell.
BB: Are you satisfied with the way your career has shaped up?Subrata Paul: I am more or less satisfied with my career. Actually I don’t plan anything. I take as it comes.
BB: With what thought in mind did you start playing football?Subrata Paul: Frankly speaking I never thought of anything. I played the game as I love to play football. I had never imagined in my wildest dream then that I will reach this far.
BB: Who has been your role model throughout all these years?Subrata Paul: Again it would be strange to say that I don’t have a role model but it the truth. I just used to play for fun.
BB: Even when India is at its worst best you come up with heroic performance. Who or what has been your source of inspiration?Subrata Paul: As I said, I just do my job. But our Coach Bob Houghton motivates all of us and gets the best out of us.
BB: You have come a long way since the Christiano Junior’s episode. Does the incident still haunt you?Subrata Paul: It’s a matter of the past and I don’t want to recall it. It was a tough time for me and at one point I even thought of quitting football.
BB: How did you cope with that tragic incident at that point of time?Subrata Paul: Please let’s not go into it.
BB: Talking a little about Bengal football, there was a time when Indian Football means Bengal Football. But this seems to be a myth now? What according to you are the factors that resulted in the declination of Bengal’s football?Subrata Paul: I can’t say what exactly went wrong. Yes you are right, Bengal might not be producing talented players like before but I feel even today Bengal is still the epicenter of Indian football. Still players are coming up. They won the Santosh Trophy for the 30th time last year. East Bengal is leading the I-League this season. So I quite won’t agree that Bengal Football is totally lost. But yes, it certainly needs to undergo a revamp.
BB: What can be done to bring back Bengals glorious years?Subrata Paul: Football is the number one game in Bengal especially in the Rural Bengal. So it’s important that rural football is paid attention. Grassroots development is the key factor.
BB: If given a chance to be the President of AIFF, what all changes would you like to bring?Subrata Paul: (Laughs) Firstly No one will give me that chance and secondly I won’t take up the post.
BB: You have played for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Pune FC, Which one holds a special place in your heart?Subrata Paul: I enjoyed playing in all the clubs. I just can’t name one. Playing with each one of them was a different experience for me.
BB: You are now a senior pro considering the squad for Olympic and AFC Challenge Cup qualifier which comprises mainly youngsters. How big a challenge it is for you to motivate and lead these young boys.Subrata Paul: Yes it a young squad which is a good sign for India’s future. I don’t have to motivate and lead these guys. They are a bunch of talented guys who are thorough professionals. They know their job well and they are very good at delivering. Moreover Coach is there to motivate and guide us.
BB: Coach Bob has come under severe criticism for various reasons. What is your opinion about him?Subrata Paul: One cannot make everyone happy. One will appreciate your work and the other will criticize your work. Bob Sir is just the same. But when I speak about him, He is the best Coach I have ever played under. Whatever little we have achieved so far is just because of him.
BB: What is your future plan?Subrata Paul: As I said earlier I don’t plan things. I take as it comes. However right now my main aim is to win the I-league for my club Pune FC.
BB: Thanks a lot for speaking to us Subrato. Wishing you a very good luck for your future.Subrata Paul: Thank you too.
