Rowlin Borges keen to make most of opportunity

Rowlin Borges’ rise in Indian football has been on unexpected lines. Four months ago, he went unsold at the Indian Super League auction but the midfielder, who plays for Sporting Clube de Goa, has now become a regular starter in Stephen Constantine’s new-look India squad.

After making his debut in a friendly against Nepal in August, Constantine showed no hesitance to include the 23-year-old for the ongoing SAFF Cup and Rowlin has repaid the coach’s faith with an impressive performance so far.

The Sporting midfielder scored the equaliser — his first in international football — helping India make a comeback against Nepal in their Group A match after conceding early.

Says Borges, “I feel very thankful to the coach for this start. He keeps motivating the players all the time. It is great to play under him.”

The player, who played in the Goan league when the ISL was being held, says he did not “look into the past”.

“I would like to focus on the future rather than thinking about what I have lost. My aim is to work hard and perform better in every game,” he says.

Borges believes that scientific training methods introduced at India camps lately were helping the youngsters.

“It is very helpful. We could have used it earlier. If I had the chance to get this type of training when I was 18 or 19 years old, I would have evolved as a better player,” he opines.