Spreading the beautiful game across different regions of the country is one of the key objectives in Vision 2047, and the Federation’s plan to host the Hero Super Cup in Kerala, where both Hero ISL and Hero I-League teams will come together, is part of it. the-aiff.com is currently in Malappuram and Kozhikode and is following the progress of the clubs in the Hero Super Cup closely in a series of stories.

Soumo Ghosh
AIFF Media Team

MANJERI: The substitution of a goalkeeper midway through a match doesn’t happen too often. Even more scarce is a goalkeeper being replaced ahead of a penalty shootout. However, that is exactly what transpired in the Qualifying Playoff of the Hero Super Cup between Rajasthan United and NEROCA FC at the Manjeri Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri, on Monday, April 3, 2023.

It was a topsy-turvy affair between the two sides. A 10-man NEROCA mounted a comeback late in extra time to score in the 120+3rd minute via forward Sweden Fernandes, taking the match to the dreaded penalty shootout. Much to the surprise of many, NEROCA head coach Gyan Moyon decided to replace goalkeeper Shubham Dhas with the more experienced Soram Poirei, who justified the move, saving three of Rajasthan’s four penalties, to win the shootout 3-1 for his side.

"Soram Poirei is an experienced player and he has saved his fair share of penalties in the past," said Moyon. "We were confident that he would change the game and it all went according to our plan."

Shubham Dhas, who had guarded the woodwork for 120 minutes, although a little surprised, was determined to win the match and help his side progress to the Qualifiers of the Hero Super Cup, where his side will face Sreenidi Deccan FC.

"It is always a bit surprising to be subbed off as a keeper, but I was determined that we win the game and make it to the next round," said Dhas. "Soram and I work together as a team, and I am so glad that he came on and made those heroic saves to help us progress. The team always comes first.

"We played so well the entire match. It was good football, and I’m really glad that we pushed till the last minute," said Dhas. "We may have been down to 10 men, but we were creating a lot of chances, and Rajasthan were always dropping back. We had the belief that we could snatch a goal in the end."

For the man who made the heroics, it was a bit of a surprising moment as well. "Coach had mentioned something along these lines, if the possibility arose, but I was not expecting him to come on at the moment, to be honest," he said.

"We were down till the last minute, and everything just happened in a flash, and I suddenly found myself coming on to save some penalties," said the 30-year-old. "It was a good experience for the youngsters in our team. I think this can be a good opportunity for them to learn how not to give up, no matter how bad the situation is. We can always come back. I think that lesson is more important than the win itself."

The world of football is rife with stories about how goalkeepers prepare for penalty shootouts by analysing each of the opponents’ penalty takers. However, Soram is not among that breed of keepers.

"I do not believe in that kind of preparation. I feel it clouds your judgement. I go into a penalty shootout with an open mind, and try to judge where the opponents will strike by reading their body position," said Poirei. "It is purely a matter of reading a situation well and reacting to it in time."