SAFF Cup: I play every game as if it's my last one, says Constantine favourite Pritam Kotal

Thiruvananthapuram: Pritam Kotal, one of India’s young brigade brought to the fore by head coach Stephen Constantine, feels his hard-work has been rewarded by being the first choice right-back for the Blue Tigers.

“I always try to play a game as if it’s my last one,” the 22-year-old Mohun Bagan defender said after a training session ahead the semi-final clash against Maldives on 31 December.

Kotal is one of those 22 football players who have been handed their first cap for the senior team by Constantine this year. And he took the opportunity with both hands and forged his place in the squad.

“It has been a good year for me. I got my first call-up for the country during the World Cup qualifiers. Coach has been giving a chance to youngsters, which is good for us. It’s a good experience. Playing against good teams like Iran and Oman gives us a lot of exposure. It’s a good feeling,” Kotal said.

Constantine has been chopping and changing his squad in the ongoing SAFF Championships and even changed his defensive combination in the second game. But Kotal has featured in both the matches, albeit in a different position. The natural right-back was shifted to a centre-back role against Sri Lanka, and he did not disappoint. It’s quite clear that these assured performances have made him one of the first names on the teamsheet.

“I had played in centre-back, left-back and right-back positions for Pailan Arrows earlier. But this was the first time I played as a centre-back for the national team. I followed the coach’s instructions,” Kotal said.

India will be missing striker Robin Singh, who has been sidelined for the rest of the tournament due to injury, going into the semi-finals. While Kotal feels Robin’s loss for the team, he says they have to look past that and focus on Maldives.

“They are an attacking team and have good players. We saw them play on television. It won’t be easy, we’ll have to maintain a shape and stick to our game. We cannot play into Maldives’ hands,” he said.

While he is cautious of the opponent, Kotal is relishing the challenge and is going into the match unfazed. “Of course, we’re confident against Maldives. Why won’t we be?” he quipped.

Kotal is happy that the young guns have been provided valuable experience at the SAFF Championships. Two games in, and already two players have been handed their debut, one of whom, Mizoram’s Lallianzuala Chhangte, has become an overnight sensation after he scored twice against Nepal. Kotal is happy for the 18-year-old and believes he has immense potential.

But with Robin Singh injured, does he feel the young winger will get his first start for the senior team on the big occasion?

“I’m just a player,” the young right-back said. “If I tell you that, I’ll become the coach.”