What was Pritam Kotal’s biggest challenge earlier in his career?

XtraTime Web Desk: ATK’s star defender Pritam Kotal has helped the Kolkata based side to win their third Indian Super League title this season. Pritam who once played as a right-back , has rediscovered himself as a central defender under guidance of ATK Head Coach Antonio Hanas.


Though, the Indian international began his career as a defensive midfielder. He started his professional career at Wari FC to U-19 national team, Kotal always played at the heart of the midfield.

While talking at the Instagram chat of thr Indian Football team’s official handle, Kotal said,”I have fond memories from our U-19 days. We spent 2 years together at the AIFF (All India Football Federation) training centre in Goa. Coach Colin Toal played a very important part in my career. When I was called in the U-19 national team, I was a defensive midfielder. I played two matches as a defensive midfielder. But after that coach changed my position. He helped me a lot to improve and also spent hours after training with me.

“During our first camp in the U-19 national team, in China, I had a knee issue and couldn’t play any game. I had lost hope of making a comeback into the team. But the coach recalled me into the team and gave me a lot of confidence. We learned discipline from the coach and he also helped us to improve our basics.”

When asked if switching from defensive midfield to right-back was a big challenge, Kotal said, “When we learn something new, we obviously struggle. When I was at Wari FC in Kolkata, my first football club, I used to play as a defensive midfielder. Then again under Gautam Ghosh’s coaching in the U-19 national team, I played as a defensive midfielder.

“But after Colin Toal came, he saw me play as a midfielder and then he changed my position. I struggled for two or three months. I took some time to adjust but the coach guided me perfectly.”

The ace Indian defender also revealed that he is a huge fan of former Indian footballer Deepak Mondal & he was Pritam’s idol when he was growing up.

“Deepak Mondal (is my idol). As a defender, I used to follow him and his playing style while growing up. He has always helped me grow as a player. We are still in touch and he texted me after the ISL final,” Kotal said during the Live chat.