New Delhi: Yes. Indian football has got a new hero to cheer about. The last two weeks have been massive for India and the career of Subrata Paul. Suddenly, you find everyone talking about this boy from Bengal.
The game is about obsession and anyone who loves Subrata Paul would want to or shall make it a point to know more about the life of the star.
In case, you are wondering where to look at, dash your worries aside as you have clicked the right article which shall satisfy your desire to know Subrata better!
To start with, Goal.com clarifies. "Is it Pal or Paul?"
"It’s Subrata Paul," he answers clearing the different spellings of his name available these days.
Subrata’s passion for football developed early when he went to Agarpara Mahajati Vidyapith School in Sodepur. His early years were spent under the tutelage of Samir Chatterjee. While most kids, even professionals who are midfielders or defenders today, played as a striker in early years, Subrata’s case was different.
"I always played as a goalkeeper from the beginning. It wasn’t that I had any ambition. I just liked that position and developed a liking for it," says Paul, who is studying for a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
After practicing with Sodepur Football Club, his football life took a new turn when he joined Tata Football Academy (TFA) and trained for a couple of years.
He joined Mohun Bagan and the highlight of his time there was the unfortunate Cristiano Junior incident when he collided with the Dempo striker following which the Brazilian went down on the field and was declared dead. Subrata was suspended for two months and it’s one of the reasons why the Indian international cannot join Dempo as their fans don’t have a liking for him; something which the Goan club’s coach Armando Colaco has time and again stated.
He was further show caused for allegedly having taken a ‘bribe’ after Mohun Bagan’s 1-4 defeat at the hands of arch rivals East Bengal.
Subrata joined East Bengal and in his first season, he won the Best Goalkeeper of the I-League award as his saves were one of the key reasons why the Red and Gold’s didn’t find themselves in the second division.
However, his second season with the club wasn’t a rosy affair. Several sections in the media held him responsible for East Bengal’s exit from the Federation Cup semi-finals. In came Subhash Bhowmick, who felt that the goalkeeper needed some time off to get himself back in the right frame of mind, and allowed Subrata to go for a break.
Abhra Mondal’s good form meant that Paul had to be on the bench and when he did come back in the last I-League game against Dempo, he was booed by the East Bengal fans.
"In India, you have more than a billion people and everyone has their opinion. You must know whose opinion matters to you and take that. About the rest, there’s nothing to worry," he replies calmly, which he wasn’t used to be associated with before.
Like his team-mate N.P.Pradeep stated, Subrata echoed the same thoughts and mentioned that it was the faith shown by Bob Houghton which inspired him to deliver a performance which did the nation proud.
"Actually it’s Bob Sir’s faith and trust. In my career, I haven’t worked under a bigger coach than him. We are lucky to have the great Bob Sir as our coach," he says.
Former India goalkeeper Debashish Mukherjee has also played a key role in shaping Subrata’s career and just when things weren’t right at East Bengal, the goalkeeper coach left following the Federation Cup exit last year.
"He coached me personally and that helped me for my improved performances. I am forever indebted to him."
Religion plays an important role in his life and he describes himself as ‘religious’ which not many celebrities are keen to project themselves as. He isn’t interested in movies and discos but loves reading Swami Vivekananda books. He is technologically well versed and you shall always listen a Kishore Kumar song from his laptop.
"I’m in love with Kishore Kumar’s songs," he says excitedly as his mobile caller tunes are always a Kishore Da number.
And whom does he idolise?
"Sandip Nandy has always been my idol in Indian football. I grew up looking up to him. Internationally, it has to be Oliver Kahn and Gianluigi Buffon," Subrata answers.
Just in case you wanted to know, his favourite pal in the Indian football circuit is Debabrata Roy of Mahindra United.
Subrata Paul’s performance has definitely given hopes to millions of Indians that India can compete and their win against Syria is a testament of the same.
Whether India can beat Japan or South Korea is a question for the future, but for now, it’s time to rejoice!
Certainly he has been a Mishtu (Bengali word for sweet), as his parents call him, for Indian football!
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