Vishal Kaith opens on his return to the Indian team and guidance from senior players

Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith was delighted after he made a comeback to the Blue Tigers squad after a long time. Last week, India registered a 3-0 win in an International friendly against Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong.

Kaith, who was making a comeback after almost seven years, was required to make only one save and had a clean sheet with the national team. The 28-year-old goalkeeper admitted it was tough for him to make a comeback after a long hiatus.

Reflecting on this comeback, Kaith admitted, “I consider this match as my debut. We went to the 2018 SAFF Championship with a U23 team. I had never played with the seniors before, especially (Sunil) Chhetri bhai. So this feels different,” Kaith said to the-aiff.com.

“When you don’t play, it is tough to take that. But if you keep working hard and give your hundred per cent in training, you will get your chance someday. And that day arrived for me on Wednesday (against Maldives). The motivation remained that I must keep doing my work and I will get the chance some time or the other,” he added.

The custodian said he is always trying to improve his game after performing consistently for Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the ISL.

“I was much younger back then; I’m more mature now, with much more game experience. With time, you make fewer mistakes, and decision-making improves,” said the 28-year-old.

“I can’t win a Golden Glove alone. It’s the effort of the entire team. They do well, so it makes the goalkeeper’s job easier. Even against Maldives, I barely had anything to do all game because we defended well. I try to give my best at Mohun Bagan, so I can keep improving,” said Kaith.

India will begin their AFC Asian Cup qualifiers campaign against Bangladesh at Shillong on Wednesday.