Jay Gupta calls India’s Brazil friendly an “opportunity of a lifetime” as the East Bengal defender prepares for a dream showdown in Kolkata.
Kolkata, September 29: India began preparations in Kolkata on Tuesday for the much-awaited Brazil friendly on 3rd October, and for Jay Gupta, the occasion carries a little more meaning. The East Bengal defender will not only be facing some of the biggest names in world football, but will also be doing it in a city that has slowly become a second home for him.
Speaking ahead of the game, Jay Gupta admitted that the entire Indian squad understands what is at stake. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said, with the players eager to finally test themselves against footballers they have grown up watching.
The confidence inside the camp is also different after India’s 1-1 draw against Panama. Jay Gupta felt the team managed to execute Khalid Jamil’s plans successfully, something that has given the group belief going into the next challenge. The longer camp has also helped the players become closer as a unit, and now the focus is on continuing that upward movement.
But against Brazil, there is little need for extra motivation.
For Jay Gupta, the preparation is simple, concentrate train, understand what the coach wants and then step onto the pitch to play for the dream. Against a side filled with world-class attacking talent, concentration will be everything. “Playing against Brazil, you need to be concentrated 1000% on the pitch,” Jay Gupta said.
And perhaps the biggest lesson for him will come through the battles themselves. As a defender, the chance to face some of the world’s best attackers is something he has dreamt about. Rather than looking at it simply as a difficult assignment, Jay sees it as a chance to understand his own game better, especially his 1v1 defending against players capable of changing a game in a moment.
The Kolkata factor makes the occasion even more special, specially for him.
Jay has created some of his biggest moments in the city and has received a warm welcome from the Kolkata football fans. Usually divided by club colours, the supporters will now come together for India. And for the East Bengal player, that is something he is looking forward to.
“It’ll be not just the East Bengal, but all the other team fans from Kolkata coming in and cheering together this time for India,” he said.
Then comes the question every defender will be asked before Brazil — can India score against them?
Jay would certainly like to see India get on the scoresheet, but he knows the game cannot be won in one moment. His focus is on taking it minute by minute, understanding the opening stages and executing the coach’s plan, just as India did against Panama.
For him, though, this call-up itself is a significant moment. After a long wait to return to the national team, he credited the trust shown by Khalid Jamil and admitted how happy he was to be back.
Now, he finds himself preparing to face the five-time world champions.
And there is a bigger thought behind it.
Gupta referred to India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup triumph under Kapil Dev as the beginning of a revolution, and believes the current generation can use nights like this to show that Indian footballers too can dream bigger.
From watching these players growing up to now preparing to compete against them, Jay Gupta’s Brazil story has already begun.
The next chapter will be written at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, his familiar fortress.
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