When team is doing well, you have to wait for your chance: Harsh Patre

Panaji: Harsh Patre is willing to wait for his chance at FC Goa.

The Goan midfielder returned home from Bengaluru FC and caught coach Manolo Marquez’s eye during pre-season training. He was even fielded in group-stage clashes of the AFC Champions League Two, Asian football’s second tier club competition. But opportunities in the Indian Super League (ISL) have been limited.

“When the team is doing well, from the coach’s point of view, it’s difficult to change players,” Patre told TOI during the pre-match media interaction. “As a player, I can understand. When the team is doing really well, you have to wait for your chance. When the coach decides to field, you have to give your best.”

Patre is expected to get his chance against Bengaluru at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. The midfielder was lively against Chennaiyin FC in the previous game and appeared to do better than first choice midfielders, when partnered with Raynier Fernandes in the second half.

The end-result wasn’t to anyone’s liking but Patre proved that Manolo could rely on him, whenever needed.

“In the last match (against Chennaiyin), we could have done much better. So far, overall, we have done well, but there is plenty of room for improvement. We are keen to improve. Personally, since there are no foreigners, I know I will get my chance. I have to perform,” said Patre.

Goa have been monitoring Patre’s journey since his teenage days while playing with the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) academy. He came under the club’s radar for the first time in the 2018-19 season during the AIFF Junior League, while ironically, playing against FC Goa. That performance left its mark on the club scouts who were relentless in ensuring that Patre plays for Goa someday.

So, when his two-year contract with Bengaluru ended last season, the next stop was obvious.

“It wasn’t difficult to adjust here since I am a Goan and the coach, staff, others have been very helpful. Being away from home fetched me valuable lessons at Bengaluru. Training with BFC gives you confidence. They have about five or six national team players, so that really helps,” said Patre.