Vishal Kaith on His National Team Return: A New Beginning After 2,377 Days
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith has made a long-awaited return to the national football team, celebrating a 3-0 victory over Maldives. He considers this match as his debut after 2,377 days of waiting and hard work, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Key Takeaways
- Vishal Kaith returned to the national team after 2,377 days.
- He considers the match against Maldives as his debut.
- Kaith holds records for the most clean sheets in Indian Super League.
- He has won multiple championships with Mohun Bagan.
- Kaith emphasizes the importance of teamwork and learning from peers.
Shillong, March 21 (NationPress) Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith has made a much-anticipated return to the national football team, celebrating a 3-0 victory against the Maldives in a FIFA International Friendly on Wednesday. He expressed that he views this match as his debut, given the long duration of his absence.
Having waited a staggering 2,377 days for his fourth and fifth appearances, Kaith now holds the record for the longest interval between two appearances in the history of the Indian senior men's team.
The last time Kaith played for India was during the 2018 SAFF Championship in Bangladesh, where he participated in all four matches as India, featuring an U23 squad, finished as runners-up. Notably, the final match ended in a loss to the Maldives, the same team against which Kaith has now returned.
"It felt incredible to be back on the field after almost seven years. Goalkeeping is a position where securing a spot can be challenging," remarked the 28-year-old in an interview with the-aiff.com.
"I regard this match as my debut. We went to the 2018 SAFF Championship with an U23 team. I had never played alongside the senior players, particularly with (Sunil) Chhetri bhai. So this experience feels unique.
"When you're not on the pitch, it can be difficult to cope. However, if you remain dedicated and give your all in training, opportunities will eventually arise. That moment came for me on Wednesday against the Maldives," Kaith added.
In recent years, Kaith has shown remarkable consistency in domestic competitions. The Mohun Bagan Super Giant goalkeeper currently holds the record for the most clean sheets in Indian Super League history, totaling 54. He was the first to achieve this milestone, reaching the half-century mark after his shutout against Mohammedan Sporting in February.
His exceptional performances with Green and Maroon have garnered him two ISL Shields, an ISL Cup, and a Durand Cup during his tenure in Kolkata. Individually, Kaith secured the ISL Golden Glove for the 2022-23 season and is on track to earn another, having already accumulated 14 clean sheets this season.
"Winning a Golden Glove is not solely my achievement. It’s a collective effort. When the team performs well, it simplifies the goalkeeper's role. Even in the match against the Maldives, I had little to do because our defense was solid. I strive to give my best at Mohun Bagan to keep evolving," Kaith stated.
After spending 21 matches on the bench, Kaith finally got the chance to defend the Indian goal again. However, with experienced goalkeepers like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Amrinder Singh in the squad, it was less about competition for the starting position and more about learning and persistent hard work during training.
"With goalkeepers like Gurpreet paaji and Amrinder paaji regularly in the squad, getting game time is challenging. Mentally, you need to be resilient. Only one of us can play at a time. This position thrives on continuity.
"We share a great relationship. All three of us are from northern India, allowing us to bond well. We motivate each other. If one of us makes a mistake, we support him. When I'm not on the field, I observe and learn from them to understand what they do right. Even though only one goalkeeper plays, we wholeheartedly back each other during training," Kaith explained.
Once the primary goalkeeper in the 2018 SAFF Championship, the now 22-year-old Kaith has matured into a seasoned player, recognized as one of the best in his position.
"I was much younger back then, and now I've gained significant experience, leading to improved decision-making and fewer mistakes. The national team plays limited matches each year—primarily qualifiers and friendlies—making it even more challenging to get game time. You must consistently perform well for your club in the league," he concluded.
