Mohammedan Sporting would not have the taste of their first victory in the ISL on Thursday against Chennaiyin FC if he had come as savior in the dying minutes, making a brilliant goal-line save, spoiling a sure goal from the Chennai outfit. 

He is Gaurab Borah and the unsung hero of the Black-and-white brigade also feels Thursday’s match can be said to be his most memorable show so far. But at the same time, this 26-year-old defender does not seem much elated. Rather he is cautious about the consistency. He wants to continue with the same intensity in his performance in the team’s forthcoming matches in the ISL. 

Borah hails from Delhi. Both his parents are employees of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Bora started learning the basics of the game at Bhaichung Bhutia Football School (BBFS) under the guidance of Sunil Patwal, one of the experienced coaches at BBFS. 

Patwal had built him as a defender since his early days mainly after watching his height (6 feet 1 inch) and passion for the game. Gaurab was provided a scholarship and later he also obtained the opportunity to make a trip to the Netherlands for around two-week training at a Rotterdam-based club. 

Bora is participating in his sixth ISL, first time with Mohammedan Sporting after playing for NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC in the previous years. 

But despite playing under the guidance of several foreign coaches Bora still remembers Sunil Patwal and Bhaichung Bhutia. “I have developed my basics under the guidance of several top coaches including my present coach Andre Chernyshov whose style of coaching is excellent. Still, I feel I would not have reached the level today I am playing if I had not met Sunil Patwal sir. He was the craftsman of footballer Gaurab Bora,” revealed Bora. 

Simultaneously, the defender also remembered Bhaichung’s contribution divulging, “He used to come to the school, offering advice, motivation, showing us how we could improve our game. As one of the trainees I was excited. Still I have not forgotten his advice.” 

As a defender Bora has great respect for Sandesh Jinghan, former India international Goumangi Singh. He often watches matches of renowned Spanish defender Sergio Ramos. 

Having already represented the country in the under-23 age group, Bora now aims to get a call-up in the senior national team. He is also ready to taste his luck abroad also. 

But the desire Gaurab seems nurturing is that he wants fame as a defender. He is aware of the reality where strikers and midfielders steal the limelight mostly.