Panaji
At just ten years old, Jay Gupta's love affair with football began when he watched older students play the sport with fervor. Despite initial setbacks, Gupta's determination led him to join the school team, marking the beginning of a relentless football journey.
Hailing from Pune, Jay Gupta's football odyssey took him from the youth teams of FC Pune City to the footballing meccas of Portugal and Spain. Five years spent honing his skills in Portugal, followed by a season in Spain, laid the foundation for Gupta's rise in the footballing ranks.
Now, at the age of 22, Jay Gupta has made a significant impact in his debut season in the Indian Super League (ISL). Transitioning seamlessly from a centre-back to a full-back role under the guidance of head coach Manolo Marquez, Gupta has become a key player for his team.
Reflecting on his decision to return to India, Gupta expressed his deep-seated desire to represent his country on the international stage. For Gupta, donning the Indian jersey and helping his nation qualify for the World Cup is the ultimate honor and dream.
Left back Jay Gupta, 22, has broken through the ranks this season and has started all of Goa's 17 Indian Super League matches so far, playing 1530 minutes, scoring twice and assisting as many.
His aspirations received a significant boost when he was called up to the Indian football team's 35-man probables for the FIFA World Cup qualifying round two games against Afghanistan. This call-up marked a pivotal moment in Gupta's career, validating years of hard work and dedication.
As Gupta prepares to represent India in Saudi Arabia, he spoke of the exceptional feeling of finally achieving his dream. Bonding with his teammates and witnessing the synergy within the squad, Gupta expressed gratitude towards his parents, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in his journey.
"It feels like I finally made it. Great, exceptional feeling. Felt really great getting to bond with everybody, getting the synergies going," Gupta shared. "To finally tell my parents that I made it, and see tears in their eyes, it's been a long journey. It's a big, big day."
The Indian national football team, also known as the Blue Tigers, is set to face Afghanistan in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The away match will take place on March 21, 2024, in Abha (March 22, 12:30 am IST), while the home match will be held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on March 26, 2024. India is currently tied with Kuwait on three points in Group A of the qualifiers, with Kuwait holding the advantage on goal difference. In their previous matches, the Blue Tigers secured a 1-0 victory against Kuwait in Kuwait City but suffered a 0-3 defeat against Qatar in Bhubaneswar. Qatar currently leads the group with six points.
