Teammates must remain on same page to perform better for India, feels Player of the Year Subhasish Bose

Teammates must remain on same page to perform better for India, feels Player of the Year Subhasish Bose

It is essential that the players remain on the same page to bring out a better performance for the national team, said Subhasish Bose, who recently won the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Men’s Player of the Year award.

“If everyone plays with the same mentality and attitude, everyone can adapt and play the way our coach wants,” Bose said on the sidelines of the senior men’s national camp, which recently got underway to prepare for India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier tie against Hong Kong on June 10.

The senior Indian defender said that he is hopeful that India will be able to bury the disappointment of playing a goalless draw in the first qualifier against Bangladesh (on March 25) if it plays collectively and minimises the mistakes.

“I don’t think every match is equal, and every player has ups and downs. But at the end, if we can work together and play as a team, then we can get a clean sheet and also a goal,” Bose said.

“I believe that we have a lot of talented strikers and midfielders who can provide us with goals. Sunil b hai (Chhetri) has rejoined us, and I hope we can score goals in the next two matches,” he added.

India will be playing a friendly against Thailand on June 4 before proceeding to Hong Kong for the second match of the Asian Cup qualification final round group-C league (June 10).

Bose feels that every player in the team is keen to perform, and everyone is trying to work on the plans of the national coach, Manolo Marquez.

“The coach is discussing with us the mistakes we have made and is showing us what we should play and what we should not play. We are practising accordingly,” said the defender.

After captaining Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a superb season, Bose wants to carry that momentum into the national side.

“My club season has been good, and I have a strong belief that I am playing well. I hope I can retain my good form and play better for my country.

This will be my target. I am not willing to ponder on our past performances. Now, we have two international matches (Thailand and Hong Kong), and I want to give my best in these two matches so that I can get the best result for my country.”