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Indian National Team: Mohun Bagan’s Injured Full Back N. Mohanraj Frustrated On Missing Out India’s Pre-Olympic And World Cup Qualifiers
The defender suffered a knee injury against JCT in the I-League which leaves him out of India’s crucial qualifiers…
08-Jun-2011 1:18:00 AM
By Patterson Fernandes
Nursing a knee injury, Mohun Bagan defender Nallappan Mohanraj will be out of India’s Pre-Olympic Qualifiers against Qatar and World Cup Qualifiers against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Mohanraj feels that the injury has deprived him of an opportunity to break into the starting XI of the Indian national team.
Mohanraj injured his knee in Mohun Bagan’s 2-0 win over JCT in the I-League, last month. His case hints at a possible ligament problem and a surgery may be the final resort but the 22-year old defender is yet to diagnose the exact problem. He is expected to be out of action for at least a month.
“I got injured in the JCT match last month. So I was feeling uncomfortable and my knee kept paining. I don’t know what the problem is yet. When I met my physician in Kolkata he advised me four-to-five weeks rest that leaves me out of the India camp. But still, I will be going to Mumbai to consult with another physician. After that I will come to know the exact problem,” Mohanraj told Goal.com.
The Chennai lad has been a regular in India’s under-23 side. However, Mohanraj has not made it to the playing XI of the senior team, despite of being in the squad for quite sometime now. With the appointment of new coach Armando Colaco, who looks keen on giving opportunities to as many possible, Mohanraj feels he has lost out on a great opportunity of getting his shot in India’s first XI line-up.
“I am feeling very bad. I was in the under-23 squad also. It’s a good opportunity for me to get good exposure. I have played for India under-23 but have not got any start in the senior team. I feel this was a perfect opportunity to get into the starting eleven as the new coach is in and if I impress him, I would have surely got a chance,” lamented the former HAL Bangalore player.
Mohanraj has taken this setback with a pinch of salt and he hopes to recover at the earliest. This certainly does not put an end to his dreams as the full back sets his sights on the SAFF Cup to be hosted by India in December this year.
“No doubt this is a big disappointment for me but still its fine; injuries are part of the game. So for now I am focused to recovering back to fitness. These two opportunities with the Indian team have gone out of my reach so I have to move on.”
“Next what I have to think about is the SAFF Cup. I think I should be ready for that. So after my recovery I will join my club again for the next season and regain fitness. Hopefully if I get a call-up again for the SAFF Cup, I will surely give my best,” he said with determination.
Meanwhile, the youngster has been consistent in Bagan’s left back position this season. His performance has attracted interest from a few clubs but nothing has transcribed as he is contracted with the Kolkata giants till the end of the coming season.
“There were some clubs that approached me but I do not want to disclose their names. Since I am on a contract with Mohun Bagan till the end of the coming season, none of the clubs made further negotiations” he concluded.
Mohanraj injured his knee in Mohun Bagan’s 2-0 win over JCT in the I-League, last month. His case hints at a possible ligament problem and a surgery may be the final resort but the 22-year old defender is yet to diagnose the exact problem. He is expected to be out of action for at least a month.
“I got injured in the JCT match last month. So I was feeling uncomfortable and my knee kept paining. I don’t know what the problem is yet. When I met my physician in Kolkata he advised me four-to-five weeks rest that leaves me out of the India camp. But still, I will be going to Mumbai to consult with another physician. After that I will come to know the exact problem,” Mohanraj told Goal.com.
The Chennai lad has been a regular in India’s under-23 side. However, Mohanraj has not made it to the playing XI of the senior team, despite of being in the squad for quite sometime now. With the appointment of new coach Armando Colaco, who looks keen on giving opportunities to as many possible, Mohanraj feels he has lost out on a great opportunity of getting his shot in India’s first XI line-up.
“I am feeling very bad. I was in the under-23 squad also. It’s a good opportunity for me to get good exposure. I have played for India under-23 but have not got any start in the senior team. I feel this was a perfect opportunity to get into the starting eleven as the new coach is in and if I impress him, I would have surely got a chance,” lamented the former HAL Bangalore player.
Mohanraj has taken this setback with a pinch of salt and he hopes to recover at the earliest. This certainly does not put an end to his dreams as the full back sets his sights on the SAFF Cup to be hosted by India in December this year.
“No doubt this is a big disappointment for me but still its fine; injuries are part of the game. So for now I am focused to recovering back to fitness. These two opportunities with the Indian team have gone out of my reach so I have to move on.”
“Next what I have to think about is the SAFF Cup. I think I should be ready for that. So after my recovery I will join my club again for the next season and regain fitness. Hopefully if I get a call-up again for the SAFF Cup, I will surely give my best,” he said with determination.
Meanwhile, the youngster has been consistent in Bagan’s left back position this season. His performance has attracted interest from a few clubs but nothing has transcribed as he is contracted with the Kolkata giants till the end of the coming season.
“There were some clubs that approached me but I do not want to disclose their names. Since I am on a contract with Mohun Bagan till the end of the coming season, none of the clubs made further negotiations” he concluded.
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