‘Hungry’ Vikram Partap wants to ‘improve further’ to push for Blue Tigers call-up
Attacking players in football are often marked by their hunger to score or assist more for their team. One young man who has been making his mark for the past few seasons as a winger is Vikram Partap Singh.
The 20-year-old, who has scored thrice for Mumbai City FC so far, is currently the third-highest Indian goal scorer in the Hero Indian Super League after Liston Colaco (6) and Sahal Abdul Samad (4). However, the winger is always “hungry” for more.
“It’s great that I’ve been able to score three goals so far in this season. I had aimed for more at the start of the season, to be honest, but it’s been good so far, and I hope to keep performing in the upcoming matches,” Vikram said to the-aiff.com.
Vikram Partap is someone who has represented India at all the junior levels – U-14, U-16, U-19, and U-23, besides being a part of the Indian Arrows, and now he dreams of his maiden Senior National Team call-up.
“It’s not just me, but everyone who is playing the sport dreams of playing for the Senior National Team. I’ve played across so many different junior national teams, and I know how different the feeling is to put on the India jersey. I have heard about the matches against Bahrain and Belarus, and I am keeping my fingers crossed. At the same time, I need to improve with every given day” stated Vikram.
“I love playing with that kind of a feeling. When that moment comes, whenever that is, I’ll try my best to grab it.”
Most recently, ahead of the start of the Hero ISL season, Vikram was an integral part of the India U-23 side in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, where he netted the winner in a 2-1 victory against Oman in Dubai. Vikram believes that it was a good opportunity for him to get one step closer to his dream.
“The U-23 camp was a brilliant experience for me. It came right before the season, so I also got those extra weeks to prepare. But what was really important for me is that it was just one step away from the Senior National Team,” he recalled. “I always had the feeling that if I did well, I always stood the chance of getting my first India call-up.”
The young attacker is someone who has come through the ranks of the AIFF Elite Academy and has played for the Indian Arrows in the 2018-19 and the 2019-20 seasons in the Hero I-League, an experience that he believes has very well helped him to prepare for football at the top level.
“Those two seasons at the Arrows helped me a lot. Getting to play professional senior teams at that young age gave me a lot of confidence before I headed to the Hero ISL. I learned a lot, and they played a huge role in getting me ready for the top tier,” reflected the 20-year-old.
Vikram Partap Singh, however, was not the only player from his batch to make the shift from the Indian Arrows to the Hero ISL. Many of his former Arrows teammates like Akash Mishra, Ashish Rai, Rohit Danu, Rahul KP, Suresh Singh, Prabshukhan Gill, Narender Gahlot, Deepak Tangri, Amarjit Singh, and many more are currently plying their trade in the top tier of Indian football.
“So many of my former Arrows teammates are now playing for different ISL teams. It’s always fun to play against them. Obviously, I know more about how they play and their strengths and weaknesses, but they also know the same about me. So, it’s a nice rivalry that we have on the field. We’re all good friends off the field, but on the pitch, we are all playing for our own teams,” Vikram opined.
One particular pal of Vikram, who has been by his side right from their time in the AFC U-16 Championship to the Indian Arrows, and now in Mumbai City FC is Gurkirat Singh. The former feels that having Gurkirat as a teammate means that both have helped each other a lot during the long season.
“It helps a lot to have someone like Gurkirat with me in the team. I’ve been playing with him for a long time since our junior days. Being with him helps a lot inside the bio-bubble,” said Vikram. “It’s a long season, and you’re bound to have both good and bad days. Hence, we tend to motivate each other during such times, and that helps us a lot.”
Being one of the youngsters who have made their way into the top tier, Vikram has been eased into the team at Mumbai City over the two seasons. The forward who operates mostly on the right-wing, however, is always hungry for more action.
“I didn’t get as much game time as I would have liked last season, so my target this time was first to get more games, and then to score as many goals and get as many assists as possible. We still have at least six matches left, and I’ll try to get as many of them as possible,” he said.
Credit – ISL Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Ortiz scores hattrick as Goa thrash Chennaiyin to keep playoff hopes alive
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
Sunil Chhetri: A glorious international career at a glance
Born: August 3, 1984 Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta) Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches) Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) Trophies Won– Achievements– Awards– Also Read: Big brother, wonderful…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
Chembur United-Jupiter FC and GKW Ranger Ease Past in their Outing in MFA First Division
In an exhilarating showdown in the MFA First Division, Chembur United-Jupiter FC cruised past Companeroes SC with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, while GKW Rangers edged out MH Oranje FC with…
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…