Keeper Nandy rolls back the years

NEW DELHI: East Bengal goalkeeper Sandip Nandy's comeback into the national squad is exciting news for Indian football.
Sitting out for an entire season (2008-09) following a knee surgery can be quite frustrating for a player who was in top form when he got injured. The 34-year-old player knew that like in life there are no shortcuts to recovery in football.But he didn't lose hope. "Those months were really painful. I was out from football and hence missed both club and national duties," Nandy told TOI on Saturday.
"Last two years with East Bengal have motivated me to a great extent. After being out of the limelight for a large part of my career, I needed some inspiration and encouragement and I must say my club and coach Trevor Morgan gave me both," said Nandy, who now hopes to regain the No. 1 spot.
After having represented almost all top clubs and the Indian team since 2001, Nandy missed top flight action during the 2008-09 season. Till then, he was an automatic choice for national coaches like Syed Nayeemuddin and even Bob Houghton. However, the knee injury kept him out for a year and it became difficult for him to regain the national berth as Subrata Paul was preferred by the English coach.
Now that he is back in the national team, his junior India teammates are elated. "He has been a great inspiration for me. I grew up watching him and this is the third time that I am with him in the camp," said India's number one goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who watched his senior professional from the sidelines. In fact, both Paul and his understudy Arindam Bhattacharya didn't take part in the match as they are recovering from minor injuries.
Quiet and unassuming, Nandy looked energetic and determined at the national camp on Saturday while soaking in shots by Joaquim Abranches and Sunil Chhetri in the practice game. In fact, Nandy turned the clock back a few years and played with youthful exuberance much to the delight of another junior Karanjit Singh. "It's been a great experience to share the camp with him. We all can learn a lot from Nandybhai," said the Salgaocar goalkeeper.
When asked how he felt playing alongside largely unknown, younger players, Nandy said: "I'm not feeling out of place. It's good to see young players at the camp as it is the new face of Indian football and we must welcome them. I think the coach's decision to select them will motivate these youngsters a lot."