Panaji: Gouramangi Singh backed Bob Raj Jackson as his first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the more experienced Lara Sharma, and his decision almost immediately came back to bite him.In his debut as coach of FC Goa, the first time he was managing a side on his own, Gouramangi watched in horror from the sidelines as Bob was a bundle of nerves against FK Arkadag in the AFC Champions League Two playoff. He erred on his continental debut, conceded soft goals and Goa lost 3-0.It was a performance to forget.“I took a long time to get over the performance,” Bob told TOI during the pre-match media interaction. “We had a long off from training, for about a week, and it took me some time to get over it. During training, the senior players talked to me and explained that such setbacks are part of the game. They advised me to forget about this and focus on the next game. That’s past for me, now is the present.”In the present, Bob remains the first-choice goalkeeper for Goa.It’s quite some progress for the 22-year-old, who started his goalkeeping journey with the under-10s of the Goa Football Development Centre (GFDC) in Shiroda, then donned colours of Salgaocar FC juniors before joining FC Goa in 2021.After an impressive showing with the reserves in the Goa Professional League (GPL) and Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL), Bob was on trials with the seniors, where he caught coach Manolo Marquez’s attention. He was drafted into the team but had to wait for his chance to become the number one.“My journey has had ups and down, good and bad times. As goalkeepers, we must be patient, wait for our chance. You don’t get chances because it’s a single position (as goalkeeper). I had to sit out for 2-3 years; it took a long time. But now I am happy, trying to do my best for the club“As a youngster, I never thought I would be first choice goalkeeper for the senior team. But I always believed in myself, in my ability. I train hard every day, and it’s up to the (coaching) staff to give me a chance. I am glad they believe in me,” said Bob.An unmissable part of Bob’s goalkeeping is his fearless approach.Against Regar-TadAZ in the opening group-stage match of the AFC Challenge League, Bob dived full length to stop an attempt and ended up hitting his head against the post. He continued and had to be taken to the hospital at half time.Even in the clash against SC Delhi last week, Bob did not back out of a challenge against Lalrinliana Hnamte, where the midfielder crashed into him with his foot raised.“Injuries are part of the game,” said Bob. “If you are injured, the medical staff is there to help. When I play, I don’t think about injuries. I dive and block with my full body, don’t think about myself or potential injury risk. My thinking is simple: if the ball is not mine, it cannot be of the opponent.”
