GUWAHATI, Oct 15: For a centre-back, goals are not the usual measure of success. Keeping opponents out, organising the defence and maintaining a clean sheet are the priorities.
But after years in the Indian Super League without scoring, getting his name on the scoresheet meant something extra for Gaurav Bora, and for his friends as well. They had been waiting for this moment for years.
The Churchill Brothers defender's 57th-minute header on October 11 in Margao gave the team their first goal in the top tier of Indian football. It also helped the Goan club register its first ISL victory, a 2-1 win over Mumbai City FC.
“To be honest, I still cannot imagine it. I still haven’t fully absorbed how big a moment it was,” an excited Gaurav told The Assam Tribune over the phone from Goa.
“My first target was to score in the ISL. To be honest, this is, I think, my eighth season and I had not scored a single goal in the ISL. My friends used to ask me, ‘When are you going to score a goal?’ I have played so many matches, and when I finally scored, my friends were not even congratulating me. They were just relieved that I had finally scored a goal!” he said.
After scoring the goal and being named man of the match, Gaurav made sure to message Sunil Patwal, the man who first put a football at his feet.
“I texted him and said, ‘Thank you so much for everything.' I will always be thankful to him because I feel he has made a greater contribution to my football journey than anyone else,” he said.
Gaurav spent his early footballing years in Delhi and has since played for NorthEast United FC, Mohammedan Sporting SC, Odisha FC, Chennai City FC and Pune City FC, among others. He has also been part of the India Under-23 setup.
Defending can be unforgiving. A single mistake can cost a team the game, while successful tackles or interceptions can go unnoticed.
“I would love to score more goals and also keep more clean sheets. As a defender, keeping a clean sheet is like scoring a goal for us,” he said.
“There are a lot of difficult moments for centre-backs and defenders because one mistake can cost you the whole game. I have experienced that in my career as well.
“I just try not to look at things negatively. I try to stay positive and surround myself with positive people. I stay around my family, parents and friends who can help me bounce back and get better.”
Gaurav, 28, knows the road to the senior India team will not be easy, but the dream remains firmly alive.
“As a person and as a player, there is always room for development and improvement. I try to improve myself every single day. There are areas where I can get better.”
“As far as the Indian national team is concerned, whenever the coach wants me and feels I am ready, I should be there. The dream is always to play for the senior national team.”
For now, Gaurav can savour a moment that he and his friends had been waiting for. His first ISL goal has finally arrived, and it has already found a place in Churchill Brothers’ history.