For Pal, life’s good at Pune FC
It’s been almost eight months since Pal left Kolkata for a new club and a whole new experience. India’s No1 goalkeeper — here to play the Federation Cup-spoke to HT about the U-23 team’s triumph in Dhaka, ‘Bob Sir’ and life at Pune FC.
Entering India goalkeeper Subrata Pal’s room is like stepping into a temple. The smell of burnt incense hits you, laminated pictures of gods adorn a table and amid all these, Pal is glued to the television, watching the Europa League.
“Watching good games makes me feel better, helps me relax as well as motivate myself for any game,” said Pal. It’s been almost eight months since Pal left Kolkata for a new club and a whole new experience. India’s No1 goalkeeper — here to play the Federation Cup-spoke to HT about the U-23 team’s triumph in Dhaka, ‘Bob Sir’ and life at Pune FC.
How has life been at Pune FC?
Very enjoyable. Pune FC is one of the best-managed clubs, very technical and professional. Supporter are sporting. They even applauded Edeh Chidi after he scored a hattrick against us.
Don’t you miss the Kolkata football scene?
Not really. I started my career at TFA (Tata Football Academy) so staying away from Bengal was never really an issue. I was looking for something new. Pune FC was an ideal place to do so. My first love is football,
irrespective of the club.
Your reaction on the under-23 team winning the SAFF Cup.
It was an absolute masterstroke from Bob Houghton (the senior national coach). This win shows that the youngsters are ready to win. Our reserve bench is good.
And on Bob Houghton
Whatever India have achieved is only because of him. His ideas have been out of the box. We have been very successful over the past two years. Only he can take the team forward.
Bengal seems to be the hub of goalkeepers and nothing else.
That’s because the best goalkeeping coaches are in Bengal. We don’t have good trainers for classy strikers or midfielders, unlike in the past.