FC Goa star Ishan Pandita will be looking to make his mark in the upcoming international break, having earned his first call-up to the Indian National Team set-up owing to his league form, which saw him net four times in 11 matches.
The striker’s performance in his debut Indian Super League campaign made the head coach Igor Stimac include him in the Indian national camp for the forthcoming games. The youngster spoke of the honour to represent his national side in a recent interview, calling it a lifelong dream.
I am extremely honoured. Every kid, while growing up dreams of playing for his country. That’s a norm all over the world, and in any sport for that matter. I also dreamt the same,
Pandita told AIFF.
The call-up allows me an opportunity to make a mark for my country – but there’s a long pathway ahead.
Pandita’s unconventional route saw him play in the Spanish Tercera Division for two campaigns. The 22-year-old grew up playing for Almeria, Leganes, and Gimnastic’s academies before signing a senior contract with the latter’s farm club Pobla Mafumet. Pandita left Poble for Lorca ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, following which he scored six times in 26 matches.
Uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak saw Pandita return to his native land and sign a contract with Juan Ferrando’s FC Goa. He featured regularly for the Gaurs during their run to the ISL semi-finals and even netted a penalty in the consequent shoot-out against Mumbai City FC. Despite that, Goa lost the overall tie to the would-be champions on penalties.
Nevertheless, Pandita is looking forward to linking up with his national teammates and is especially keen on meeting captain Sunil Chhetri, who will miss the subsequent round of fixtures due to coronavirus complications.
I was looking forward to meeting him and picking up some traits both on and off the pitch. But there’s always a next time and I wait to play and learn from him. I hope he gets well soon,
Ishan Pandita said.
India plays Oman in an international friendly on Friday, March 25. Stimac’s side will face the United Arab Emirates on March 29.
