One such name is 20-year-old goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who will compete against senior pros Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Amrinder Singh for a place in the starting XI and also continue the process of ‘learning’ from the experienced duo.

In an interaction on AIFF TV, Dheeraj said: “I feel really happy to be part of the national team and it is an honour for me to get this opportunity at a young age. I get to learn a lot of things from the senior players by playing and training with the best goalkeepers in the league. We have Gurpreet paji and Amrinder paji and it’s a very important thing for me and I am looking forward to learning lots of things from them –- both on and off the pitch.”

The former U-17 World Cupper and Indian Arrows custodian, who received his first Blue Tigers call-up in November last year, recollected his welcome to the national team ‘family’ and explained how he has been learning from his seniors.

He quipped: “I still remember when I got the first call-up for the senior national team –- they (Gurpreet and Amrinder) congratulated me and the team welcomed me like a family member. They were very nice to me and told me that I have been doing well and have a lot to learn. They keep on motivating me, help me rectify my mistakes during training and tell me what to do and what not to do, what is better for me and what’s not. It is something very important and a huge learning for me.”

Dheeraj, who produced an eye-catching performance for his club FC Goa in the recently concluded AFC Champions League 2021 Group Stage in Goa — getting named twice in the ACL’s Team of the Week — spoke about the strength and depth in the Blue Tigers goalkeeping department, terming it as a ‘tough competition’.

“Honestly speaking, we have very good goalkeepers in India -– in the senior national team and the leagues. Many good goalkeepers are coming up and we have a very tight competition among ourselves. I am very young and have lots of areas that I have to improve upon.”

“It’s a very tough competition and a tough challenge for me and for every goalkeeper as they have set that benchmark for us to try and reach. I am working for that chance and know that I have to use the coming opportunity in the best way,” the former AIFF Academy cadet averred.

He also shared his thoughts on the overall rise in the number of top-quality goalkeepers domestically, starting right from the junior level and the increase in the opportunity for Indian custodians to gain playing time.

“Now, we have most clubs playing with Indian goalkeepers domestically. Obviously, for a goalkeeper, it is very important to play regularly to gain confidence. Training and playing matches are totally different as when you play games, you learn a lot of things and there are many unique situations that come up in the matches. It’s a good experience for a goalkeeper to keep on playing matches consistently,” Dheeraj opined.

“I think that’s the reason many goalkeepers are coming up with good standards. Even when I was in the junior national team, we had keepers like Nawaz (Mohammad Nawaz)  and Gill (Prabhsukhan Singh Gill). They are all very good and having a very healthy goalkeeper quality and competition is very good. As a player, every day is a competition for me and they pushed me every day — that’s how I have grown and we go forward together as a goalkeepers’ union.”

CREDITS- AIFF MEDIA

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Dheeraj, who had been twice been named in the AFC Champions League’s Team of the Week for his performances, played a big part in helping FC Goa secure a third-place finish in Group E of the AFC Champions League, with FC Goa being the first Indian team to play in the Group Stage of the competition.

Speaking to AIFF TV, Dheeraj narrated: “I got the National Team call-up right after the Hero ISL. It gave me the opportunity to travel with the Senior Team to the UAE. It was a big motivation for me to train with Gurpreet paaji and Amrinder paaji. I was so motivated at that point that I reported straight to Goa after we came back.”

“Getting into the National Team had a big impact on my confidence. Our coach also gave us a lot of confidence, taking the pressure off from our shoulders. He just told us to go out there and play our normal game, and that’s what we did,” continued Dheeraj.

With FC Goa being India’s first-ever representatives in the AFC Champions League Group Stage, Dheeraj and his teammates had a tall order, facing-off against quality teams like 2020 Champions League runners-up Persepolis FC (Iran), Al Wahda FC (UAE), and Al Rayyan SC (Qatar). However, the young goalkeeper got two clean sheets to his name, making 19 saves from his five appearances.

“I still remember when the AFC Champions League started, many of my friends asked whether I was ready, and how many goals I expected to concede,” recalled Dheeraj. “We came up as a very strong team that was disciplined and difficult to score against. We did really well in the first two games, and that really gave us confidence to go forward for the rest of the matches. I think it was the benefit of playing the Hero ISL, that we had moved forward together, and could perform at that level.”

During the AFC Champions League Group E campaign, Dheeraj was a constant recipient of accolades, especially from opposition coaches. The likes of Laurent Blanc, a former FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro winner with France, who was the coach of Al Rayyan, and Al Wahda head coach Henk ten Kate, who had coached at top clubs like FC Barcelona, Ajax Amsterdam and Chelsea FC, showered praises on the young goalkeeper.

During the last Group E match between FC Goa and Al Wahda, Dheeraj had to be substituted off, due to an injury he had sustained on his throat while making a save. With the match still going on, ten Kate proceeded to the opposition technical area after Dheeraj got substituted, and went on to shower praises on the 20-year-old for his heroics under the bar. The keeper, in return, could only squeak out a weak “thank you,” partly because he was dumbfounded at the gesture, and partly because of the injured throat.

“I still remember, he (ten Kate) came over to our side of the dugout and shook my hand, and gave me a lot of good words. I was not able to speak much because my throat was really painful, and I could only muster a soft ‘thank you’,” recalled Dheeraj.

“It felt very good to be praised by such a high-profile and respected coach. But I was also sad that I was not able to continue the game. It felt very nice to get those good words from him, though,” smiled Dheeraj.

CREDITS- AIFF MEDIA

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FC Goa became a part of Indian Football history when they became the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League Group Stage. The Gaurs made the occasion all the more special when they earned a point in their very first game against one of Asia’s finest.

“It was a great opportunity for me and the entire FC Goa team because we get to represent FC Goa and the nation at once. Getting a clean sheet is obviously a great feeling for the goalkeeper and the defence,” said the former AIFF Academy cadet. “It shows how you went about the defensive work. Obviously, it was a great feeling and I feel last night was one of the best moments in my playing career.”

“It was a very good game and we knew that it was going to be difficult. All the boys put out a great effort. We gave our best as a team and I think it is a big achievement and a good result for us. It was a great start to the Champions League and we are looking forward to the next match,” he continued.

In his very first match in the AFC Champions League, Dheeraj, who had also represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup four years back, came face-to-face with stars like former PSG Academy product Yacine Brahimi, who has also played in top Spanish and Portuguese clubs like Granada CF and FC Porto.

“Playing against experienced players like Brahimi and many others is a tough challenge,” said Dheeraj. “I prepare myself in a really calm and normal way. I didn’t get much excited before the match started and I tried to control myself.”

The custodian further went on to reveal that his first AFC Champions League match required a different approach than normal.

“I prepared myself in a different way. During the Hero ISL, I used to watch the videos of other teams. But for the last match, I just watched the set pieces and I didn’t go through the individual clips because I wanted to play my natural game. I wanted to prepare for every situation that could come,” he said.

FC Goa are set to face Al Wahda in their second Group E game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Dheeraj earned high praise from Al Wahda head coach Henk ten Cate ahead of the match.

“They are a very well organised team with a very good defensive centre. They have a really, really good goalkeeper too. So we will be facing good opponents who already have a point, and we don’t. But, one win can change the whole thing,” ten Cate said in the pre-match press conference.

The point earned against Al Rayyan has given Dheeraj and his teammates a lot of confidence, and the Gaurs will now be looking to build on that for the rest of their Group E matches.

“Getting a point in the starting of the tournament gives you confidence. I am hoping that our players will be more aware of the level, so we should be preparing really well and we are looking forward to delivering more no matter what the result is, we will try to give our best,” stated Dheeraj.

CREDITS: AIFF MEDIA

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However, the span of the deal with Indian Arrows was until the end of 2017. He then joined Kerala Blasters for training, until he gets his European visa for the trials. Dheeraj Singh was fortunate enough at Kerala Blasters, as he had the opportunity to train under the likes David James, Paul Rachubka, Sandeep Nandy, all experience in the profession, goalkeeping.

As already mentioned, he had offers from many European clubs, including the likes of English Premier League outfit, Westham United. However, the player opted to join the trials of Motherwell FC, whose duration is expected to be three-months.

Dheeraj Singh is currently training with their first team, and their COO, Alan Burrows recently took it to Twitter and lauded the talent of Dheeraj Singh.

Well, I can tell you that he did very well at training today! Not only that, he is a very nice young guy. So Day 1 was a good start! ??

— Alan Burrows (@Alan_Burrows) 8 February 2018

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With wishes pouring from all over the nation, some fans questioned whether the trial was a part of marketing gimmick, the COO refuted such suggestions, and said that Dheeraj was with them on the merits of his ability.

I can assure you Suyash that Dheeraj is only with us on the merits of his ability & if we try to sign him, it’ll be because we believe he’s good enough & see potential in him to develop. Anything additional is merely a byproduct – it’s only about how good a goalkeeper he is. ??

— Alan Burrows (@Alan_Burrows) 8 February 2018

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However, Dheeraj Singh was spotted with the first team in the team bus, as the Scottish outfit traveled to Dens park to take Dundee. He’s likely to play for Motherwell FC’s reserve in a friendly match scheduled next week, as according to a sportskeeda report.

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In the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which India hosted, Dheeraj was one of the standout performers for the country, and he looked solid between the sticks. His acts, denying the marauding runs, and tremendous shots of the opponents, who were far better than the hosts, were simply amazing to watch, and enjoy. His performance caught the eyes of many international scouts, and he had offers from many European, and North American team, but the player opted to join Indian Arrows to participate in the I-League.

His contract with the club was until the end of 2017, and the player will leave the country once he gets his European visa. As part of European expedition, the player is training hard under David James, Kerala Blasters coach. Dheeraj Singh was spotted playing for Kerala Blasters reserves in a friendly game against Kerala Blasters B team.He reportedly has offers from Westham United, Motherwell, and few other top-flight clubs, to attend the trials.

However, he has opted to attend the trials of Motherwell FC, playing the Scottish first tier, according to reports from European medias. It’s also understood that the duration of the trial will be 2 weeks.

17-year-old Indian goalkeeper, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem will attend a 2 week trial for #Motherwell starting in February #Ileague #isl #indianarrows

— ITK Yorkie (@JD_agent) 26 January 2018

Indian Football faithful have huge expectations over the future of Dheeraj Singh, and if he manages to impress the European scouts, there is a high chance for this young talent to feature in the renowned English Premier League, or any other renowned European league in the future.

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