In Guwahati in 2019, after the 2-1 loss against Oman in our first match of the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, there was pin-drop silence in the dressing room after the final whistle. Everyone was dumbstruck, panting heavily, sipping water. None uttered a word. There was disbelief that we lost after leading 1-0 for 80 minutes. But amidst all that disbelief, there was belief to better it.

We flew the next day and when we got to Doha, everything was perfect. The environment, the food, the hotel, the training pitch – all were so ideal. We used to discuss amongst ourselves – ‘Look at the pitch, look at the stadium. It doesn’t get better than this.’

Sunil-bhai was there, but wasn’t there. He got ill. We could sense his frustration. So much so that he wasn’t even able to go to a single practice session, and even on the matchday against Qatar, he watched it on TV from his room.

The plan on match day was to make life difficult for Qatar who are such a talented team. They had won the AFC Asian Cup earlier that year, and were buzzing after playing in the Copa America. We had to stay compact against them, and take our chances whenever we smelt a counter. And with that, we had to fight with everything. Everyone was desperate to contribute – everyone was trying their best.

As a goalkeeper, it’s always so assuring to get the first touch of the ball without committing any mistake. That sets the tone for me, and I guess for all goalkeepers. Hence, I always look forward to getting the feel of the ball early.

I remember they had a corner and someone at the first post in an attempt to head it out flicked the ball. I lost my cool, shouted at him. But soon realised that he tried his best to jump for that extra inch. We were all trying, trying to bring out that inhuman from all of humans.

The clock started ticking, and we started to grow in confidence. The first-half ended goalless. We could gauge the frustrations around as the predictions that we would be whitewashed weren’t coming true. It allowed us to breathe a bit more. We realised we were heading in the right direction. ‘Take some blows guys, we can do it,’ was the sentiment. The pressure was huge, but the belief was more.

The dynamics were even better in the 2^nd half. Seeing Sahal, Udanta dribble past the best in Asia – the ones who won the Asian Cup was a message which hit them hard. It was a great boost. We were not just defending, rather we were attacking and pushing them on the back foot on occasions.

Abdulkarim Hassan, the best side-back in Asia, I guess, never expected an Indian winger (Udanta) to speed past him in two quick successions, making him breathe heavily. When I punched a Hassan Al Haidous free-kick and the ball landed to Sahal, the rivals were caught unaware as Sahal latched on to it, and got past them. Eventually, a professional foul came to their rescue. That’s what pleases you – doing the unexpected when nothing is expected of you.

Almost everyone I speak to always makes me remember about the Qatar match. But if you ask me, that isn’t my best performance so far. I understand that in the Qatar match, we got a result – and hence, it will always stay a highlight.

Rather, I will always pick two other matches ahead of my performance against Qatar. The away match against Iran in the World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifiers in 2016 in front of a packed Azadi Stadium in Tehran will always remain on top of my list. Yeah, we lost 0-4, but I feel there was much more pressure in Tehran, than in Doha.

The match against China in China also ranks high on my list. It required me to be at my best, and depicted my mentality, like all others.

CREDITS- AIFF MEDIA

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: 5 Key Battles to watch out for in India vs Qatar

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The loss meant that India finished at the bottom of Group A!

Jamal Rashed’s 91st-minute spot-kick broke Indian hearts as Bahrain ran out winners despite a solid defensive performance from Stephen Constantine’s team.

In what was a nervy start India replaced the injured Anas Edathodika with Salam Ranjan Singh in the early minutes of the game. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was on his toes as he brilliantly kept out Komail’s shot from outside the box in the 5th minute.

As Bahrain frustrated India by holding on to possession in the opening minutes the Blue Tigers on the other hand missed a good chance to score when Ashique Kuruniyan’s header off Pritam Kotal’s cross was blocked by the opposition defence. Also, Halicharan Nazary’s effort in the 22nd minute hit the side-netting.

Come the half-hour mark and India were passing exquisitely in the Bahrain box! Pronay Halder’s pass found Halicharan on the wings with the latter dribbling and laying off for Sunil Chhetri. Only a last-ditch tackle from a Bahrain defender stopped Chhetri before he could shoot on goal from less than 10 yards out!

Though Bahrain controlled possession the Blue Tigers still defended well with Sandesh Jhingan marshaling the back-line. Also India’s midfielders, who looked compact throughout, rushed to defend at times, thus restricting Bahrain to long-ranged shots.

Tight defending meant that Bahrain could not create problems for India despite raiding the box at times. Skipper Pronay Halder made a crucial goal-line clearance in the dying minutes of the first half to keep Bahrain at bay.

Coach Constantine added more spark in attack as he brought in Jeje Lalpekhlua for Ashique Kuruniyan at the half-way mark. But then it was defence (and not attack) where India did well as Halder and Jhingan frustrated Bahrain.

The duo gave India’s strikers the necessary cover and space to execute attacks. Jhingan also made a crucial sliding tackle in the 60th minute to deny Bahrain a clear goal after a cross from the right flank had gone unchecked.

Udanta Singh also got into the thick of defensive action later and made a sensational tackle in the Indian box to rob Bahrain of possession. Though Singh had earlier been hauled down near the Bahrain box still the resulting free-kick was sent over the bar by Chhetri.

Bahrain had an indirect free-kick inside the box in the 73rd minute (Sandhu had collected a back pass) but then India’s defenders kept the ball out by flinging bodies in the way.

Sandhu also pulled off a world-class save in the 83rd minute to deny Bahrain a goal from a close-range header. The rebound was excellently blocked off by Kotal!

But then it all went to naught as Pronay Halder brought down Hamad Al Shamsan inside the box during the dying minutes of the game .

And as Jamal Rashed converted from the spot…India’s dreams had gone to pieces!

INDIA: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika (4’ – Salam Ranjan Singh), Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose; Udanta Singh, Pronay Halder (C), Rowllin Borges, Halicharan Narzary (79’ – Anirudh Thapa), Ashique Kuruniyan (45’ – Jeje Lalpekhlua), Sunil Chhetri.

AIFF MEDIA

Also Read: Constantine resigns after India gets knocked out of AFC Asian Cup

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: Aware of progress of Indian football: Dato Windsor John

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Circa 2019 and as India get set to face Bahrain (on the same day!) they stand on the cusp of qualification for the Round of 16 of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup!

If they do achieve that feat then Sunil Chhetri’s team would etch their name in India’s football folklore.

Chhetri — the second-highest goal scorer in international football among active players — had scored India’s second goal against Bahrain in 2011.

The India skipper — now a veteran — would be itching to score against Bahrain on Monday.

“It doesn’t matter who scores as long as we score. It’s a team game. The awareness and interest in football has certainly grown in India. Everyone who is associated with football is responsible for it. But I also want to say that it’s a very small jump which we have taken. We have to keep our heads down and keep working hard,” said Chhetri.

“It was an extremely difficult group back then. We had Australia, South Korea and Bahrain in the group. The only positive, apart from the fact that we played our hearts out was that we scored three goals,” he recalled about the 2011 campaign.

“The one distinct thing I remember was scoring. Renedy’s great dribbling first, and then his fierce shot from 35 yards hit the bar, and dropped. Later on, in the replays, we saw that the ball had gone in. But it wasn’t given. Off Renedy’s rebound, Abhishek Yadav hit the bar too, and as it fell to me, I headed it in,” reminisced Chettri.

“We haven’t achieved anything substantial yet. What I want to achieve is to reach the top 10 in Asia and rub shoulders with the best. For that, we have to improve a lot. The first step starts with a result against Bahrain tomorrow,” he added.

Keeping aside the second-place finish in 1964, this is arguably a memorable campaign for India.

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Chettri are the only two members of this team to have played in 2011.

Gurpreet was on the bench in 2011 thanks to the presence of a certain Subrata ‘Spiderman’ Paul in goal.

“I remember everyone was very calm the before the Bahrain game. We believed that we could get a result from that game. We even managed to score a couple of goals. But unfortunately, we ended up losing,” said Sandhu.

“Eight years down the line we are back in the Asian Cup playing Bahrain again. Things are different, the teams are different. But we are in a better situation,” he added.

As Chhetri and India gave it their all against the best in Asia the youngsters of now had then dreamed of greater things to come.

“I remember I had tears in my eyes that day, and made one of those crazy promises that you make as a kid – I’m going to play for India one day and bring glory. But here I am today, ready to play against them tomorrow,” said central defender Sandesh Jhingan.

“It’s hard to believe, sometimes. Even if God came down and told me to write down my future eight years back, I would not have believed that I would be here, and facing Bahrain on this very day,” he added.

Defender Subhasish Bose, who broke into the India squad six months back, was a youngster when Chettri and co. played in 2011. He had yearned to avenge India’s loss on that fateful night.

“I was watching the Bahrain game with my dad. We were both disappointed on losing the match, but now we have the chance to get our revenge for that defeat,” said Bose.

India play Bahrain in Group A of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The game will kick-off at 9.30 pm (IST) and will be telecast live on Star Sports 2, 3 and live-streamed on Jio TV.

AIFF MEDIA

Also Read: Tricky but still very possible! A look at India’s Knockout round chances

Also Read: We need to win against Bahrain: Constantine

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The money has been pooled in from sanctions or monetary fines (arriving late for training sessions, carrying mobile phones during meals, wearing the wrong attire etc.) gathered for breach of discipline.

It will allow the IBFF to buy footballs and other playing material.

‘It’s important to give it back to the community’ was the theme sported by India coach Stephen Constantine.

“The footballs which the blind footballers use cost $50 each. So we are helping them buy some balls. We collectively agreed among everybody within the National Team — the players, and the staff that any money collected from fines or any misdemeanors will be donated for a good cause. It’s just a very small gesture, but it shows that we can,” said Constantine.

The players ‘support the noble cause wholeheartedly’ was the opinion of India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

“We love this concept of helping others with the money. The sanctions are there to impart discipline among us. Although nobody wants to be fined, this initiative makes us believe in the larger aspects of life. If we are able to contribute for a cause or help, why not. It helps us to be better individuals,” said Sandhu.

Sunil J Mathew (Sporting Director, IBFF) thanked the Blue Tigers for this initiative: “This is to acknowledge and thank you for the donation towards helping cover the stay and kit expenses at the National Blind Football Academy at Kochi. We would like to especially thank the entire AIFF coaching staff and the National Team for their support. We wish the entire team the very best for the Asian Cup.”

AIFF MEDIA

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: It is an honor to play for India: Chettri

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: India still have work to do: Constantine

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“It will be a challenge for us tomorrow against Thailand. But the boys are ready to face them. We will play for a win. We have worked really hard in the last four years to be here. We will try to put on the best show possible. The boys have been doing the hard work on and off the pitch. We need to make sure the work does not go in vain. We are proud of the self-belief which we have acquired,” the custodian said at the pre-match press conference.

India play hosts UAE, Thailand and Bahrain in Group A. This is India’s fourth ever appearance in the tournament — the last coming in 2011. Their best performance till date is the second-place finish in 1964.

“As a team, we have proved that we can win. We are concentrating on the challenge ahead and will take one match at a time. The main thing is to stay positive, and be consistent. The experience of being in the squad in 2011 was huge for me. I learnt a lot from it. It was a different team in 2011 when players were at their peak. This team is young and could play for years to come. The desire in this team is ever-growing and we are hungry to prove ourselves,” he concluded.

India play Thailand in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup at the Al Nahyan Stadium on January 6, 2019. The game will be telecast on Star Sports and streamed live on Hotstar at 7pm (IST). 

AIFF MEDIA

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: Blue Tigers lauded by India football legend

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: Blue Tigers do their bit for these special champions!

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EXCERPTS:

The team will face Thailand, UAE and Bahrain in the group stage. Who would be our (India’s) toughest opponent?

GSS: I feel all are extremely difficult to play against. No team will come into the Asian Cup without doing their homework. I am sure the three teams will hold us in high regard as well. All three teams are huge challenges to face. We have to be smart in our approach and take it one game at a time. We need to get the best possible result in the first game and then approach the second match accordingly.

How important is communication between you and the defenders? How do you improve and work upon it?

GSS: Once you play with each other and gain confidence, it gets better. The more you play together, the trust level increases. Communication between defenders and the goalkeeper is the hallmark of a strong team. In my opinion, we have done well in that respect.

(Subrata) Pal rose to the occasion in the 2011 Asian Cup and was lauded. Do you feel any pressure?

GSS: Even at that point (no disrespect to someone like Subrata-bhai) I felt that I should be the one playing (laughs aloud and utters: ‘Just kidding’). I had that desire to play for the country and it was an eye-opener for me. He made a number of brilliant saves. I feel that as a team, we have to work hard to avoid getting into situations where the goalkeeper has to make saves all the time. We need to put in a strong team performance and be a difficult team to play against.

How would you compare the two Indian teams — the one from 2011 and the current batch?

GSS: The 2011 team consisted of various legends. All were talented and played under an incredible coach. However, if we consider factors like team development and playing in a similar system, I feel the batch of 2019 has the upper hand. The desire and the fire to learn defines our squad. I was the youngest player (aged 18) in 2011 and this time we have many U-23 players in the squad. It highlights the development of the sport at the grassroots level in the last 7-8 years in the country.

What are your memories from the 2011 AFC Asian Cup campaign?

GSS: It was very special as it was my first senior team experience. Training alongside the biggest names in Indian football was something that I never expected to do. I took every single day as it came and made every single moment count. I learnt as much as I could.

Any particular lesson from that group?

GSS: I learnt a lot from the senior goalkeepers – Subrata-bhai (Paul), Arindam-bhai (Bhattacharya) and Subhasish-bhai (Roy Chowdhury). Training with them was really enjoyable and I remember trying to ape them. Also, I have special memories of playing against Bhaichung-bhai (Bhutia), Renedy-bhai (Singh) and Sunil-bhai (Chhetri).

By AIFF Media

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: Blue Tigers lauded by India football legend

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: Blue Tigers do their bit for these special champions!

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‘Bangkok mein sabse achcha Italian restaurant kaun sa hai? ……… You know Spaghetti Bolognese and a glass of red wine….’, quipped Shah Rukh Khan in his film Don 2. Replace Bangkok with Bærum, Norway and this would have been a perfect clarion call for Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. But no, he didn’t choose the easy way out. Instead, he decided to serve it up.

“Initially it was very difficult for me. Back home you don’t have to worry about food. Ghar ka khana mil jaata tha. But I can say I’ve managed quite well,” India’s first choice custodian enunciates his early troubles in Norway. “I used to buy frozen lachcha parathas, but maida (refined flour) is not good for my fitness regimen, so I stopped.” The struggle between familiar food and dietary compulsions was real for the Mohali lad.

“Eating out is also not an option, as Indian restaurants are far and few.” Not just in the off-season but almost every day, he uses another kind of gloves too, this one the cooking gloves while using the microwave oven. Unwinding for him has hit the tight recipe.

“It’s not that easy to get the ingredients but I’ve found my way around it. I stick to simple carbs and proteins which are readily available.” The adjustment to the lifestyle and integrating into the social fabric including culinary habits is quite important for any person out of his hometown more so if in a foreign land where its winter or almost wintery around 9 months a year.

“It started with rajma chawal, yellow daal and others but then I began to experiment with spaghettis. I can safely say I make quite a good version of spaghetti Bolognese and Spaghetti Carbonara,” Sandhu, the first-ever Indian Footballer to play in the UEFA Europa Cup quips. “People say that I make a delicious chicken curry. I think they are right (laughs).”

But there must be something he craves for in his time up in the Norwegian zone. “Butter chicken. It’s my favorite dish in the world. Nothing can beat it. But I have to make do with grilled chicken which I make from time to time.”  The true blue Punjabi in him is evident as he proclaims his love for the quintessential North Indian delicacy.

A circumstantial Cook, the former AIFF Academy product is no doubt a wall between the sticks. His agile reflexes and lean frame have come in handy for India. But those hands have also been put to good use inside the confines of a kitchen far away from the comfort of one’s home.

Survival has made the palms which wear goalkeeping gloves pick up a spatula with similar ease. Maybe a future offing in a celebrity cook show is on the horizon. But till then trust Gurpreet to whip up saves as well as dishes galore.

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Even though the spotlight is on Sunil Chhetri, one player who stood like a giant wall for Team India was goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The India’s no. 1 stole the show after denying Kyrgyz Republic on numerous occassions with couple of jaw-dropping saves.

Footballcounter spoke exclusively with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as he was headed towards the team bus after the match.

On being asked whether the Indian defense should work on the defensive part more as Gurpreet was forced to save number of shots from inside the box.

“We should always work upon something, no doubt. Same goes for me, even I need to work but in every aspect of the game and not just one. No one is perfect.”

“There are things where we need to improve. This will help us to learn and improve,” said Gurpreet.

Throughout the match, West Block Blues along with the traveling fans kept backing their National Team by creating an electrifying atmosphere.

On that note, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu admitted how important and effective it is to receive such a grand support.

“The fans were brilliant. The results is only possible because of the support. It is important to get such kind of support in every match which is very key for us once we enter the field.”

“The other teams should know that even the Indian Football Team has such a huge support and that the fans love the beautiful game as much as the players do,” Gurpreet concluded.

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Bengaluru FC and Indian Football Team Captain Sunil Chhetri was asked about the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-league merger. He responded: “Talks are going and it doesn’t make sense for me to comment. If you ask me for my thoughts then I’ll repeat myself what I’ve been saying every time. More teams, one league. If there are 16, 17, 18, 20 teams and there is one league in the country then that will be the best.”

“And on that note, nobody can object, you, me or those in the Federation everyone wants that. How to get there? I’m sure all the think tanks are working on it. As many numbers of teams are there fighting in a unified league or proper league, it is good for Indian players. More Indian players getting chances are good, more youngsters playing every week in, week out is really important,” he said.

Sunil also gave his views on a unified league: “It is important that we have 20 Udantas, 20 Jejes, 20 Gurpreet Singh Sandhus coming up every year. We have 1.3 billion people and we have to achieve that, imagine the state of football in our country when there 20 Sandeshs, Jejes etc every year coming up. That’s what we want and it will only happen if the kids get to play.

It very important that we have a league structure where kids get to play and get the best training throughout because if you don’t get enough game time, you won’t improve especially when you are young. So I hope the ones working towards it will do the needful and I just hope that there is a league where there are more number of Indian players.”

On another note, Sunil Chhetri praised his teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua and admitted that he is currently the best player India have right now. Jeje also won the 2016 AIFF Player of the year award.

“Jeje is the best player in the country right now. He has been outstanding for the country and whenever he plays we find ourselves in a comfortable position. He is going to take us places.”

Meanwhile, Jeje himself spoke about his latest form and goals. He said: “My target right now is to win the match against Kyrgyz Republic and boost our effort to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup,”

“I contribute my performance to my hard work off the pitch and it is very important for me as well to keep scoring and help my team in whatever way possible,” he stated.

Recently, India achieved their best ranking in the last two decades when they were place 100th in the latest FIFA rankings. It is quite astonishing as India were stuck at 173 just a couple of years back.

“It does give us a lot of happiness when we see our team in the top 100. But we don’t take it very seriously. When we were at 170, I spoke loudly that we aren’t 170 because we did well at times. In the same way, when you do well in an important tournament, you gain a lot of points. It does give us a lot of happiness but the most important thing for us is to keep winning games, especially in big tournaments.”

Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who received the 2016 Award for Special Recognition added: “We can only take good points going into the match against Kyrgyz Republic. We don’t have to be cocky about winning seven games in a row, but aim to maintain our winning streak.”

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I bet you didn’t know this. 

The level of Bromance between Robin Singh and Eugenson Lyngdoh is too damn high.

It’s amazing how a single tweet of 140 words can make you explain what India is all about.  I don’t see a Christian , a Muslim and a Hindu in this picture. All I can see is brotherhood, love and respect for each other.

In Which country but India can this be witnessed ?

One of  the best feeling in the world is when you see two of your Legends sharing a moment like this.  The tweet from Gurpreet is enough to make any Indian football fan’s heart melt.

Baichung Bhutia is so good at that trademark bicycle kick of his that he will be able to pull it off even when he will turn 50 years old. I have got no doubt about it.

Girls are leaving no stones un-turned to flirt with Robin Singh and I on the other hand can’t even get a reply back from them.By the way, why is she calling him a Doctor ? Is it because of Robin Singh’s Clinical Finish?

Santosh Kumar, a Bengaluru FC fan tweeted this to Sunil Chhetri and I could’nt resist myself from sharing this with you all.

When the Guy, who has been making every other striker in the ISL and I-League look like a MAMU , finally becomes a Chachu. Pardon my poor joke.

Sandesh here, is talking about his nephew Ivaan Jhingan.

Hahahah ! Amrinder literally won the internet that day.  But what’s up with Vineeth ?

Dayum ! I had no idea that Girls too can flirt just like us boys do untill I came across Robin Singh’s twitter account.

Forget Casanova, Robin Singh is the real deal.

We will end the Article with this motivational tweet from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

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