'It'll be one of the best learning curves': Jay Gupta opens up about India's much-anticipated match against Brazil
India will play 5 time World Cup Champions Brazil on 3rd October.
This match will mark the first time that the India Senior Men’s Team will play against Brazil. The match between India & Brazil will be at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan VYBK in Kolkata, scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST. This match falls under the FIFA Sept-Oct International window.
Both teams have already played a match during this international window. The Blue Tigers faced off against Panama on 25th September. Though the match ended in a 1-1 draw, the Blue Tigers were more than happy with the result as India are ranked 138th, whereas Panama is ranked 44th.
Brazil beat Australia 4-2 in a friendly match on 29th September, with players such as Raphina, Bruno Guimarães & Vinicius Jr scoring in the match.
Ahead of the match between India & Brazil, Indian defender Jay Gupta gave an interview where he was asked about the team’s mindset and preparation, here is what the defender had to say,
“A lot of confidence in the group”
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Jay Gupta spoke in high praise how The Blue Tigers were able to excute the various plans set in motion by head coach Khalid Jamil. The defender also spoke about the boost of confidence in the entire training camp, thanks to the draw against Panama.
He said, “I think everyone in this team knows it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, everyone is excited to meet the players they have always grown up watching. To be able to see where they stand, competing with these players, we’re very excited. After the game we had against Panama, a lot of confidence in the group and we wanna take it forward into this next one.”
When asked if the players watched Brazil’s match against Australia, he said, “Our analyst team is always working to getting us all the footage and keeping us updated with whatever is happening recently. And obviously, to be able to play them right after they’re playing Australia, we need the recent analysis.”
Despite the positive outcome of the game, Jay Gupta spoke about the best learnings from the Panama game.
He said, “we were able to successfully execute the coaches plans, and it gave us a lot of confidence even in training sessions. As a group we had a longer camp this time, so the group felt more closer together and we wanna build on that.”
“I don’t think any player on the team needs any extra motivation to prepare, we just want to start our training sessions get to doing what the coach wants us to be doing and reach there. After that it’s going to be just playing for our dream.”
Though Brazil consists of a number of players that the Indian team has grown up watching, the knowledge of the threat that they will be facing is very prevalent.
Jay Gupta said, “I think playing against Brazil you need to be concentrated 1000% on the pitch. So, as long as each and every player shows that level of concentration, I think we’ll be learning a lot of things. The main concentration is being able to learn as much as we can and knowing how far we are able to compete against world champions.”
Also Read: Raphinha picks up injury ahead of India vs Brazil international friendly
Since India were able to score against Panama, Jay Gupta when asked about scoring first against Brazil said, “We definitely would love to be able to score against Brazil obviously. I think it’s more about taking it minute by minute, to be Able to understand the game in the first 15 & execute our plans well. So, if we can get on the scoresheet first, then it would be the best thing.”
“It’ll be one of the best learning curves”
Jay Gupta currently plays for East Bengal FC in India, who are based out of the VYBK. He was asked what he would like to say to East Bengal fans that will watch this game.
“Luckily most of my highs have been in Kolkata, I have been very warmly welcomed by the Kolkata fans and its been very good for me playing in Kolkata. I’m very happy to be able to take that momentum into the game against Brazil, I’m looking forward to it because not only will I have East Bengal fans but also fans of the other teams of Kolkata coming and cheering together this time for India.”
Jay was then asked about his plans to face a winger like Vinicius Junior.
He said, “As a defender I have always been dreaming about trying to see how I would be able to compete against some of the best attacking players in the world. I think this opportunity is very good for a defender like me to be able to understand how these kind of players they take on 1v1s.
So for me it’ll be one of the best learning curves and that’s what I’m really looking forward to in this game, to understand how to approach this situation and at the end of the day to improve and do it in my own life.”
The East Bengal defender was asked about how his feelings are facing opponents like Brazil, considering he has recieved a call-up to the team after a long time.
He said, “I’ve been working hard. I was very happy to get the call from coach Khalil. I think at this moment, I feel very lucky to be part of this squad right now because I feel like we are kind of knocking at the door of 5 time world champions, trying to show that we also have the calibre to push for those accolades that they are holding.
We want to be able to, just like for example: before Mr. Kapil Dev brought the World Cup home and he started the revolution, we are looking to show our calibre and build from that.” He also said, “that was just an example of how we had the revolution of cricket, we’re just trying to build that on our own terms and just excited for the game.”
Who is Jay Gupta?
Jay Gupta is an Indian International Football player who plays for East Bengal FC.
When is India’s next match?
India will host Brazil in a friendly game. The match will be at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan VYBK in Kolkata, scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST.
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