Calcutta: Congratulate Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury for his splendid performance in Sunday’s ISL opener against Mumbai City FC and he will come up with a strange answer: “I had no other option but to play well.”

On probing further, the 28-year-old explains: “See, I have been chosen in the playing XI over two foreign goalkeepers… They are excellent ’keepers with enviable credentials. So if the coach has shown faith in me, I have to play well… There’s no other option if I really want to keep my place in the squad.”

Armenia’s Apoula Edel and Spain’s Basilio Agudo are the two other ’keepers in the ATK squad. While Edel has played for top clubs like Paris Saint Germain and Hapoel Tel Aviv, Agudo was in Atletico Madrid’s squad and was also the first choice ’keeper for Spanish second division side Fuenlabrada.

ATK defender Spanish defender Josemi was seen giving Subhasish a long hug after the final whistle. “Oh, he was just saying thank you because I fisted out the ball that took a deflection off his head and was going in for an own goal.”

Asked what manger Antonio Lopez Habas had to say to him after the match, Subhasish said: “He was happy because I followed his instructions… He asked me to continue doing that.”

While there were many congratulatory messages, ranging from Harbhajan Singh to Nita Ambani, there was one which was very special for Subhasish. “I met Sachin Tendulkar after the match… He said ‘well played’”.

Subhasish credits Habas for the team’s fantastic start to the tournament. “The coach treats us a team… No individual is given special treatment. That helps us to think together… That is how we motivated ourselves before Sunday’s game and the result was for everyone to see,” he said.

Personally, Subhasish admitted that he was aware of the pressure before taking the field. “It was such a grand occasion… With so many stars and dignitaries present, I knew I had to play well. Plus, there is the pressure of playing in Calcutta… The pressure here is different and much more than it is anywhere in the country.”

While Subhasish manned the ATK goal, on the other side of the ground, Subrata Paul, the country’s No.1 ’keeper was standing in the Mumbai City goal. Was that extra motivation? “No. Why should you think like that? He’s like a brother and a good friend… He is an excellent ’keeper and deserves to be the country’s No.1. I was just focused on my game.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC captain Syed Rahim Nabi, who suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s match, is likely to be out for up to three weeks.

“…As per the findings of the Mumbai City FC medical team, Syed Rahim Nabi has a contusion over the left ankle/foot due to twisting of the ankle joint. The MRI reveals that there is neither a fracture nor a ligament/soft tissue injury. There is a suspected partial sprain of one of the ankle ligament,” a media release from the franchise said.