‘Fastest player’ Jhingan up for task

India football team defender Sandesh Jhingan confesses that he likes to get dirty on the field to get on with the game. Jhinghan, Sunil Chhetri and the other probables had their first training session at the Andheri Sports Complex here, the venue for Saturday’s international friendly against Puerto Rico.

“As a defender the physical aspect is very important. It is one of the main things. I like to get dirty, I like to use my elbows and like blood spilling out. It is part of my game and I really enjoy it. I enjoy the dirty stuff to give the ball to the more creative player. It is not easy and I take a lot of pride in that. Off the field though, I am a completely different person,” said Jhingan here on Monday.

The strapping 23-year-old who wore a tracking system in his vest as national coach Stephen Constantine abd sports scientist Danny Deigan monitored the process, said he was happy to be regarded as fastest player by Deigan.

“He is a top guy, he really helped me improve myself. I was injury prone and he helped me physically and mentally. I am glad he said I m the fastest player on the field,” he said.

Jhingan hoped it would be a good game against better-ranked Puerto Rico. “We have been preparing for this game for some time now. We had a camp in Delhi and a game against Bhutan. It is an important game.

“Puerto Rico are a good team, and it will be a good contest. If we play to our strengths we might get a good result. We are improving and I am optimistic about this game. These are building steps for the Asian Cup qualifiers next year and the main thing is to improve, learn and put up a good show,” he said.

The Kerala Blasters emerging ISL player in 2014 said the players share a good rapport.