Seriton Fernandes sets sight on Indian Football Team return

The 29-year-old right back was part of the SAFF Championship winning Indian team.

Seriton Fernandes is at a good place right now, as far as his footballing career is concerned. His club, FC Goa, recently handed him a contract extension that will further his status as their longest-serving player by another two seasons.

“It was a dream come true when FC Goa selected me in the ISL 2017-18 Players’ Draft. I had always wanted to play for the club, and once I got the opportunity I wanted to make sure that I was always good enough. I’m happy that the club continues to back me, and I intend to continue working hard,” Fernandes said.

A hit from the get go, the 29-year-old has missed just eight FC Goa matches in total across the past five seasons. If all goes well the upcoming 2022-23 season, he would also cross the 100-games mark in the ISL, needing just five more appearances to do so.

Having proven his abilities, Fernandes is already a mainstay in the FC Goa side. His next aim, as per himself, is to make a similar impact at the Indian national team as well.

“Playing for India, wearing the revered blue jersey, remains the biggest highlight of my career. I will never forget the goosebumps that I felt when I made my debut against Nepal last September.” To-date, Fernandes has made four appearances for the Blue Tigers, including the group-stage match against Sri Lanka in their title-winning SAFF Championship 2021 campaign.

“I feel proud to have contributed to the SAFF Championship win. It was my first silverware win for the country and hopefully more will follow,” Seriton Fernandes said.

Shouldn’t the call up have come earlier, however? The defender had excellent back-to-back campaigns with FC Goa in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, winning the Super Cup and the ISL League Shield once each during this period. He was also a part of the Gaurs’ side that reached the ISL 2018-19 final. He had an important role to play in the club’s successes during this period, so much that he started getting regarded as one of the best right-backs in the country.

Hence, when the expected call up to the Blue Tigers did not happen, he was understandably disappointed.

“I was disappointed when I wasn’t getting the call up.  However, while I was sad, the snub only motivated me to work harder. That just kept stoking the fire within me,” Seriton stated.

“There is no point in being disappointed unless you can convert it into motivation. Hence, when I finally got my chance last year, I was proud of myself.”

And what is in store for the future? “I’ve just played four matches for the Indian national team now. That’s clearly not enough. I’m disappointed that I wasn’t named in the squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers, but I will get more chances going forward.

“I hope to utilise them properly, find my way back into the national team and then work harder to become a regular presence there,” Seriton Fernandes concluded.