New Delhi: India's win at the Nehru cup football tournament has come as some sort of vindication for Indian goal keeper Subrata Paul.
The man of the match award for having crafted India's triumph over Syria was more than a mere sporting achievement for the 23-year-old.
This young man has already experienced more than what most players do in a career.
Paul's stunning saves won him adulation amongst Indian football fans and a well-deserved hug from the president of his association. When Paul said he thanked God for his ability to play so well that fateful Monday, most people revisit the horrifying moment this young lad had witnessed in 2004 in Goa.
A 19-year-old Subrata had tried to stop the rampaging footballer Cristiano Junior from scoring in the Federation Cup final in Goa. Junior tragically died and Subrata was devastated. But the goalkeeper somehow moved on and found the courage to stand under the bar again to look a striker in the eye.
Paul's teammate Sunil Chhettri says that Paul's character and strength has come shining through.
And he didn't let the coach or his team down throughout the tournament....earning the adulation of his team-mates...
Teammate Renedy Singh who is a celebrated penalty striker gives the credit of the Monday victory at Nehru Cup to Paul.
Subrata Paul has always had to prove himself as a footballer and as an individual on the football pitch. But his great show in the finals of the Nehru Cup might just help him vanquish old demons and move on to a brighter future.
Comments
0 comment