Manas Dubey has already drawn the attention of India's football fraternity with an inspiring performance in the ongoing Durand Cup against East Bengal. 

The goalkeeper played a crucial role, making some brilliant saves to help Shillong Lajong upset East Bengal and ensure their first-ever semifinal berth in the Durand Cup. 

Manas was one of those youth footballers who was signed up by the country’s two ISL clubs, FC Pune City and Hyderabad FC. For his consistent show, the goalkeeper was also allowed to train with the first teams of the two respective ISL clubs. 

Still, unfortunately, he was deprived of the opportunity to take part in the matches in last four years. He has not even participated in under-18 I-league and other competitions. Durand Cup is his first major competition so far.

While speaking over the phone from Shillong Manas explained, "I was with Hyderabad FC for four seasons. Previously I was signed for the under-18 team by FC Pune City. I regularly practiced with the senior teams in both clubs. Then I also joined TRAU FC but did not get the scope of playing matches. I finally joined Shillong Lajong and got the chance to play in the Durand Cup. This is my first professional and major competition. If I can play in the I-league, then it will be my first elite I-League also.”

Manas continued, “I practiced a lot with the seniors, with some greats in Indian football for four years, but never obtained an opportunity to play matches even in the under-18 level. It was painful. I could have shined if I had continued with the study. I was a bright student. All of my elder brothers have glittering educational careers and they are highly placed in their respective professions. But I did not give up. I stuck to football. My mother constantly inspired me and motivated me. 

I must mention Subrata Paul’s name. During my four-year stint with Hyderabad FC, I got him. He was like my guardian there, often guided me, encouraged me through advice about goalkeeping, and even taught me how to live off the field also.”

The 23-year-old goalkeeper who hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh once lived in Kolkata for almost 10 years and has been a resident of Pune for almost the last two decades.

Manas did not like football in his childhood. He used to play Karate and his passion was for cricket. But as he was flabby and overweight, his mother forced him to get engaged in any physical activities and Manas joined football in his school under coach Mahesh Jagtab. He was 14 years that time. 

Manas revealed, “But I did not touch the ball for almost one year. Coach asked me to run 12 rounds across the ground and then I used to do physical training. Mahesh played an important role in my football journey.” 

Manas started playing as a defender in his school. His switch-over story to goalkeeping was interesting. "Our regular goalkeeper was injured a week before one tournament. As I was tall and heavy, the coach asked me whether I was willing to stand under the bars. I preferred it thinking that the position would not force me to run after all! I became truly embarrassed with running after 12-round runs every day," Manas remembered smilingly.

The goalkeeper also went to Poland last year to test his luck in a couple of fifth and sixth division teams. But he has a desire to play abroad for one season at least.

"My immediate aim is to perform in the upcoming I-league. Then I will be working hard for a senior national call-up. Ultimately, I have the desire to play in a European team at least for one season, to improve the standard of my goalkeeping," Manas concluded.