By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay,
AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: In the uncanny world of football one actually can't predict what awaits the next moment.

Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharyya was a youngster when he was ruled out from the final squad of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 owing to a shoulder injury. 8 years later, he has been presented with another opportunity some two months ahead of Continental Championships.

"I could not hold my tears back. It was like the end of the path for me. I had no other option but to get it operated. It took a long time to heal it but, as a professional, we have to overcome these and move on,” Bhattacharya said at a media interaction on the sidelines of the National Team camp in New Delhi on Tuesday (November 13, 2018).

Incidentally, he was replaced by none other than a 19-year-old youngster Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

After 8 eight years, following his stint with Norweigan side Stabeak FC, Gurpreet has gone from strength to strength to even lead the country a few times.

"Gurpreet has done commendably well in recent years. He is a goalkeeper with huge potential and he can do even better,” Bhattacharya certified.

The senior custodian who has got the call up in a National Team camp after two years feels the job is tougher now but he is ready to give his best.

"Getting a call-up from the National Team camp after two years is something which I really can't express in words. It provides you with a mental boost from within to go forward."

The final squad will leave for Amman on November 15, 2018.