As the Indian team prepares for its next challenge — facing Macau — the veteran goalkeeper of the side, Subrata Paul praised coach of the national team, Stephen Constantine, for his role in making the team a stronger and more competitive side that achieved a major jump in rankings.
"He has been in charge for almost 30 months now and if you look back at the journey, as far as FIFA Rankings are concerned he has delivered what no other coach in India has been able to achieve so far. No coach has been able to make us win nine on the trot; no coach has been able to take us from 173 to 96 in the FIFA Rankings. And none happened by fluke," asserted Paul.
looking ahead at the upcoming match against Macau, the goalie said that the game holds great importance.
"For a player every match is important but there are some matches which stay a bit more significant. The match against Macau is one such one. We all know that a result in the match will take us nearer to a coveted berth in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. In Indian footballing history, the match has an added value, just like the World Cup Qualifier play-off against Nepal in March 2015. Had we lost that one, we would have sat idle for the next 4 years," explained Paul.
Infact the Jamshedpur FC player exuded confidence in his side.
"We are unbeaten in the last 10 matches, having won nine of them (including the unofficial match against Bhutan). The boys are confident and the body language is very positive. A team is always judged by its ability to sustain the momentum and at present, we have worked hard to retain the winning streak. The rhythm defines the squad. The two practice matches could not have come at a better time," said the 30 year old.
When asked to point out the speciality of the present Indian side, he pointed out the young age of many players as well as their hard work and dedication.
"The Indian National squad has always been a talented one. But this time we have a much younger squad, the average age is much lesser. Given the fact that the nucleus of the squad has been with coach Stephen Constantine for the last two and half years, the coach has been able to instil a sense of self belief and prepare them mentally and physically to deliver what he wants them to. I would say mentally the present squad is very strong, the work rate is very high and the fighting spirit stays very distinct. We never give up till the final whistle," assessed the 64-game veteran.