Suman Chakravorty: Komal Thatal, the young gun from ATK has always been rated to be one of the finest prospects in Indian football ever since he got the limelight after scoring the goal against Brazil U17 in The BRICS Cup back in 2017. His furtunes deprived him though to a large extent, as he never played a competitive game since he caught the eyes in the opening game in the FIFA U17 World Cup at New Delhi against The USA last year. He signed for ATK in January but never featured for his team last season. Though this year, the shrewd football brain of Sanjoy Sen reatained him into the squad with a hope that he will be playing this time and won’t warm the bench like he did last season. The results of Sanjoy Sen’s faith saw the sunshine on Wednesday when he scored a stunner, his first ever goal in the ISL against Bengaluru FC. To trace the tribulating phase of his career in the last twelve months, www.xtratime.in spoke with his parents and ATK Assistant Coach Sanjoy Sen. Here is what they shared with us:
Arun Kumar Thatal and Sumitra Thatal (Komal’s parents): He called me right after the game. We were very happy with his performance, but there seemed to be no joy in his voice as his team lost the game. The last twelve months were tough for sure, but we knew his mental strengths. He always used to say, “I will keep working hard. They have to give me the opportunity.” It’s just the beginning. He needs to keep performing and scoring goals like this.
Sanjoy Sen (Assistant Coach, ATK): I retained him despite the fact that Komal didn’t play a game last season, I decided him retain. I saw him only once and it was when he played the first match of the FIFA U17 World Cup. He impressed me a lot in that game. I always have promted young players. Even now when I see pintu Mahato and Sourav Das playing well for Mohun Bagan, I feel really proud of them. Komal is a rare talent with sublime speed and creativity and I am sure that he will only go strength to strength from here on. As a mentor I always encourage him to become a better player.