Baptism by fire: How Deepak Tangri hit the ground running for the Blue Tigers
DOHA, QATAR: It was the afternoon of Saturday, January 13, in Doha, where the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium was just filling up with around an hour to go for the first match of Group B of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, between Australia and India, to kick off. Doha, at this time of the year, is a rather pleasant town, where a sudden gush of cool breeze could give you the chills, depending on how used you are to the cold.
Regardless of the air and it’s temperature, one person on the pitch, warming up ahead of the game, would have felt the figurative chills when he heard his name being announced on the PA system in the stadium. Deepak Tangri had never played an international match at the senior level. But his first taste of football at this level was as big as it could ever get, an AFC Asian Cup match against the mighty Australia.
“It was an amazing feeling to step out on the pitch with everyone cheering. I saw so many Indian flags, and for a moment, I thought maybe I was back home,” Tangri said to the-aiff.com. “It was a different feeling. It was an amazing feeling.”
Tangri is a man who had been called up for preparatory National Team camps on a couple of occasions previously but had never made the final cut for any tournaments. It was only before the AFC Asian Cup that he made the cut for the final 26, but little did he know that his baptism would be of fire.
“When I got on the probables list, I just wanted to take it step-by-step. I had to play well at my club to make the final squad. Once I was there, I just wanted to train and improve every day, and give my best,” said Tangri.
“I thought maybe if I work hard and keep improving, I’ll get in as a substitute and then in the starting XI later but did not think of this,” he said. “But once I was informed the night before the game that I would start, the first thing I did was to kick all the nerves out of my head and go to bed in time, to get a good night’s sleep.”
India fought hard, but succumbed 0-2 at the hand of the Aussies, but gave a good account of themselves against a far superior opponent. Tangri held his own for the 86 minutes that he was on the pitch, making 13 possession recoveries, six interceptions, winning seven duels, and having a passing accuracy of 82 percent.
“It was a different experience for me, playing at that level. We fought hard to maintain our shape and hold our ground against Australia. But in the end, they are such a good side that they will punish the smallest of mistakes, and that’s what happened,” he said. “We just have to keep our heads down and keep pushing for the next game.”
For all the good showing on the pitch, however, Tangri’s father, a clothes merchant in his native town of Bilga, Punjab, did not watch him play his maiden game for India.
“My father never watches me play. He gets too nervous,” smiled Tangri. “I spoke to him after the game, and my mother had told him all about it by then. They were both so happy that I played for India, for the first time.”
Tangri, who has had the experience of playing for India at the junior level, believes that all the information that he soaked in from the senior guys like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke and others, ultimately helped him.
“We get to learn so much from these guys. Chhetri bhai tells us how to react to different game situations. Sandesh paji is a straight-talker. He tells us our mistakes for what they are, and shows us how not to make them,” said Tangri. “They are all fine leaders and seniors, and we learn so much from them.”
Also Read: Mumbai City FC Confident Ahead Of Second Game Against Punjab FC in Kalinga Super Cup
Also Read: Igor Stimac proud of his boys; Sunil Chhetri targets Uzbekistan tie
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / MFA Super League
Redefining Mumbai Football: The unique approach of India On Track FC
In a football landscape where clubs often prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability, India On Track FC (IOT FC) stands out as a beacon of dedication, unity, and unwavering commitment…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa to set up blockbuster grand finale clash against ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai, April 29: Mumbai City FC set up a finals date with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant after defeating FC Goa by 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final…
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners after remarkable 3-1 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners Kolkata, May 4: Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…