India’s first eTigers team consisting of Charanjot Singh (18), Siddh Chandarana (20), Vignesh B (22) and Lokmanyu Chaturvedi (24) remained unbeaten as a squad in all four international friendlies they’ve competed in this season. Gaining valuable points from their ties against Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and South Africa.

What also contributed to their FIFAe Nations Rankings was the impressive showing by duo Charanjot and Siddh at the FIFAe Nations Online Qualifiers 2021. They helped India secure a third-place finish, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the FIFAe Nations Cup, with only the top two teams going through.

Reflecting on the latest world ranking Charanjot said, “Personally I feel great that I had a big part in contributing to India finishing 22nd. Finishing in the top 25 rank, in the whole world, in our inaugural season, shows what we are capable of.”

Siddh, highlighting their record in International friendlies added, “It was our first season and it’s slightly disappointing to not qualify for the eNations Cup but we won all four International friendlies we’ve played, which feels amazing. I’m just grateful to AIFF and all the fans for their support and hopefully we will be better next time.”

When asked about the highlight of the entire journey for them, both Siddh and Charanjot had the same answer – beating Saudi Arabia at the FIFAe Nations Qualfier. “Saudi have the no.1 and no. 2 players in West Asia and we won with an aggregate score of 8-2. So to beat them in that manner was the highlight for me,” said Siddh.

Charanjot agreed, “Winning against Msdossary (Former World Champion) 4-1 just gave me a tremendous morale boost for the future tournament and matches.”

For Lokmanyu the chance to represent India came as redemption after a disruptive start to his season, “Being down with COVID for three months I couldn’t compete in the first qualifier of the FIFA Global Series. That put me down mentally. But when the AIFF eFootball Challenge was announced, I was ready for another challenge. Making it to the National Team was special and I cannot wait for the new season to come in to prove again why I’m a part of this team.”

So, what’s next for the eTigers on the World Stage? “I think we should aim to finish among the top 5 so that our country’s name is at the top and we get recognized a lot more.” says Vignesh, “FIFA has been coming up slowly in India and it feels great to be a part of it and I want us to keep contributing to create a bigger community.”

CREDITS- AIFF MEDIA

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Chandigarh’s Charanjot Singh (18) and Mumbai’s Siddh Chandarana (20) joined forces to help India secure a third-place finish, narrowly missing out on a berth in the FIFAe Nations Cup in Denmark, with only the top two teams qualifying.

“It felt amazing putting on the jersey of our country,” says Charanjot. “It was a thing of pride for both of us. We started off well and after the first day we were at the top of the table. On the second day we qualified for the knockout and won the first round but to lose in the manner that we did, hurt us.”

“But, we know it was the first tournament for us and India, and we finished third so I don’t think we should be sad or anything.”

“It’s just that losing in the manner that we did hurts. Because we were so close, we were in the ‘Winner’s Final’ as well but FIFA is a game of margins as they say,” adds Charanjot.

The duo competing in the Middle East and Africa Zone, were one step away from sealing qualification, having made it to the ‘Winner’s Final’ on Sunday but were beaten by Qatar. They had another bite at the cherry, thanks to the double-elimination format, playing Saudi Arabia in the ‘Loser Final’ but failed to get the better of their opponents at the second time of asking.

However, the eTigers created some special memories along the way, most notably their stunning 8-2 aggregate win against Saudi Arabia in their first knockout tie, where both players pulled off what was arguably the ‘best results of their lives’.

“I think Saudi has probably the best roster in the world,” says Siddh, who managed a draw against Saudi’s Yasser Al-Harthi in the Group Stage encounter after teammate Charanjot was beaten by former World Champion Musaad Aldossary.

“Going into knockouts, we had a rematch against Saudi and this time, Charanjot knew what he had to do against Dossary and he actually pulled off an unbelievable result. He beat him 4-1 and I beat Yasser 4-1 in my game as well. So, these two were probably the best results of our lives cause it doesn’t happen every day and those two players have been on the FIFA scene for years and years.”

“Personally I haven’t had a very good season in the Global Series. I finished around the top 48 while Yasser is no.1 in West Asia.” Siddh continues, “Here, I didn’t beat him. I actually destroyed him. That helped me so much because I think we showed what we’re capable of, it’s only the fine margins which we have to work on.”

“Everyone was waiting for the match-up between me and Dossary.” chuckles Charanjot when asked to relive that stunning upset. “Earlier in the group stage, Dossary beat me 2-0 so I knew what he’ll do and how he’ll come for the match and I was ready the second time.”

“I scored three early goals and got a good lead before the 2nd half and just tried to maintain that. Beating a former World Champion and two-time finalist at that, was the highlight of the tournament for me.”

Both players were also overwhelmed by the show of support by the fans tuning into the matches and tagging them across social media.

“It felt amazing!” exclaims Charanjot. “Prior to the tournament we asked everyone to support us and the response we got was truly outstanding. I don’t think me, Siddh or anyone expected so many people to be out there supporting us, in the live stream, etc. It truly felt amazing and it meant more to us while playing in the tournament to win it for India and to win it for them who were supporting us.”

Siddh shares those sentiments of his teammate, saying, “The support throughout the last three days has been so amazing and it’s disappointing not to go all the way but I’m just grateful to the AIFF and all the fans for the support.”

“I just want to say, thank you to the fans for all their support. It’s been an absolute honour to play for our country. And not to forget, this is the first time we were playing and we still put on a great show. Beating Saudi 8-2 is not a joke and we did show what we’re capable of and we hope to be better next time.” signs off the lad from Mumbai.

CREDITS – AIFF MEDIA

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The youthful duo of Charanjot Singh (18) and Siddh Chandarana (20), will be India’s first-ever representatives at the Qualifiers, competing for the ultimate prize — a chance to represent your flag at the FIFAe Nations Cup 2021. They will, however, face tough opposition in the form of South Africa, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and Africa Zone.

“It means a lot to me!” exclaims Charanjot, who was crowned Champion of the AIFF eFootball Challenge held recently to pick the Indian squad.

“This (AIFF eFootball Challenge) was the first tournament of its kind for India and now if we finish in the top two of the FIFAe Qualifiers and earn the right to represent India at the eNations, it would be absolutely amazing to be among the top 24 countries in the world, not even in Asia.”

Charanjot’s journey into the world of eSports began at a “local tournament” which he signed up for at the tender age of 15, “There was a tournament in Chandigarh where all the top players arrived and participated. I played it like a local tournament and didn’t know that it was a national tournament until I actually won it. So, that was when I decided that I could go pro.”

“I think people think it’s easy to play video games,” says Charanjot. “You just sit there in front of the monitor and play. But, it’s really tough. The level of competition is extremely high. You have to play day-in-day-out, give your best, learn the new mechanics that the game has to offer and constantly adapt. To be at the top every week, every month and every year is really tough.”

The youngster, who will compete on the PlayStation 4 at the Qualifiers, has had to juggle both his studies and an eSports career, but is immensely grateful for a supportive family, “During this time, I also had my exams and practicals. They (family) cooperated very well and allowed me to carry on with both commitments side-by-side so I’m thankful to them for that.”

“My parents do force me (to study).” chuckles Charanjot, on being cross-questioned, “But even before, like in my 10th, I used to manage my studies and my FIFA career so they know that I can manage it myself and get good results in exams and FIFA.”

While Charanjot started at a relatively young age, his teammate Siddh initially harboured dreams of becoming a professional footballer. “I’ve been a football fan ever since I was a kid. I used to play professional football as well but then I had bronchitis and would get tired easily. Doctors told me I had to stop since it was affecting my lungs. So, I had to stop playing completely but that’s when I took up FIFA due to my love for the game. That’s when I started entering tournaments and I knew that I have something in me so that’s why I choose to follow it.”

A self-confessed Arsenal fan, Siddh turned professional in 2017 and after a tournament win in Singapore, he was snapped up by M10 sports, a professional eSports team owned and created by former Arsenal player and German FIFA World Cup winner Mesut Ozil.

“Ozil follows only three Indians on Twitter — Shahrukh Khan, Ranveer Singh and me. He used to keep tagging me in his stories so that was quite some experience.” beams Siddh.

But, playing ‘video games’ isn’t all fun and games. “It affects your social life. You see your friends enjoying and you have to be on your couch. Every weekend, we have to clock in 30 games in 48 hours and so rarely do you get a chance to go out. You have to be in front of your screen and it gets tiring and exhausting but you have to prepare in that way.” warns Siddh.

But while the journey is a demanding one, Siddh hasn’t had to tackle it all on his own. “I think my family has been very supportive. Especially my dad. He’s always been there no matter what. I just want to thank him for showing all the faith and believing in me since day one. You know in India we still have a lot of question marks about a career in eSports but my dad and my family have been very supportive so I’m very grateful for that.”

However, now that they’re within touching distance of reaching the main stage of them all, the FIFAe Nations Cup, what are their expectations from the upcoming qualifiers?

“I expect us to be in the top two,” states Charanjot. “We have a great roster of players and I think we can finish in the top two and represent India at the eNations. Both of us are playing extremely well right now, we’re in good form and hopefully, we can do a good job in the qualifiers and move forward together.”

“It’s the first time we will compete in a FIFA tournament officially. So we’ll give it everything we have,” says Siddh. “We hope the fans support us because we have what it takes to get to the highest level and it won’t be possible without their support.”

CREDITS: AIFF MEDIA

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