Last line of defence, first upfront
NEW PATH It’s been a year since Gurpreet Singh Sandhu broke the perceived glass ceiling by joining Norway’s Stabaek FC. The 23-year-old, who could become the first Indian to play in Europa next year, however, sees no one following the path
CHANDIGARH: At 6’5’’, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is used to being head and shoulders above the rest. Over the past year, this goalkeeper has also been walking alone. And India’s No 1 shot-stopper thinks it will stay that way for a while.
At Norway’s Stabaek FC, where Sandhu joined on August 15, 2014 on a three-year deal, playing football in the snow is just one of the childhood dreams the goalkeeper from Mohali is realising. Next season, he could be in the squad for Europa League games.
Except for Bhaichung Bhutia’s injuryriddled three-year stint with Manchesterbased Bury FC, Indian footballers’ tryst with foreign clubs has been a blink-andyou-miss affair. Romeo Fernandes’ loan deal with Brazil’s Atletico Paranaense turned out to be a story little longer than Andy Warhol’s proverbial 15 minutes of fame. Subrata Pal and Sunil Chhetri too went abroad but that hardly gave a push to their careers. Decades ago, there were reports of Chuni Goswami evincing interest from an English club and pre-Independence India had the story of Mohammed Salim who could have been the pioneer Sandhu now is had he, as the story goes, not felt homesick and left Celtic. IT’S ALL ABOUT TIMING So, what made the difference for Sandhu?
“I think I made the right move at the right time. I was not blown away by lucrative offers and knew right from the start what I wanted. Rejecting offers from I-League and ISL clubs looked like a big risk at that time but I am glad that I chose to follow my heart,” said the 23-year-old.
Sandhu said he doesn’t see anyone following him soon.
“There is no doubt that Indian players are talented but they are happy playing in I-League and ISL when they should be striving for a break in foreign leagues. Over the past few years, we have seen players from India moving abroad to try their luck. However, either they make the move too late or they look for immediate success,” said the keeper, whose club, Stabaek, qualified for the Europa League by virtue of finishing third in Tippeligaen.
“Moving to Stabaek was the best decision of my life and I already see the difference in my game in such a short time. My reflex saves have improved and so has my overall game. I have become a thinking player and have learnt to cope better with pressure. Working under Bob Bradley (former USA and Egypt coach) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and he is working hard to mould me,” said Sandhu, who made over 100 appearances for East Bengal.
Espen Granli, Stabaek’s goalkeeper coach, too gives special attention, he said.
“Every player is watched closely and looked after by the coaching staff. As a result, they don’t have difficulty in raising their game.”
Stabaek isn’t Norway’s top club; their stadium in Oslo holds 7000. But barring East Bengal and Bengaluru FC, the facilities would be unimaginable in India. “Even young kids are provided with amenities which professional players in our country are not able to garner.”
The top line gymnasium, jacuzzi, ice bath and hot tubs are a given. Investments have also been made on artificial pitches and Stabaek has a newly developed indoor stadium. “It means the training of the players is not hampered,” said Sandhu.
Apart from football, another skill that has improved for Sandhu is his cooking. “Of course, it is nothing in comparison to the food cooked by my mother but it’s still decent enough. Stabaek has taught me lot of things. Cooking is one of them,” he said with a chuckle.
The ISL is an “exciting competition” but Sandhu is okay sitting back at home and enjoying the action. He has bigger dreams to follow. What does worry him is the state of football in Punjab. “The disbanding of JCT is one of the main reasons as now the players from Punjab don’t have anything to look up to,” he said.
There’s no doubt that Indian players are talented but they are happy playing in I-League and ISL when they should be striving for a break in foreign leagues. Over the past few years, we have seen players moving abroad. However, they either make the move too late or look for immediate successs
GURPREET, on Indian players Gurpreet has been in the camp since Day One. He looked more confident and ready. Considering it was his first game, I would say he played well STEPHEN CONSTANTINE, National coach after Gurpreet’s debut against Iran on Sept 8. He has since been India No 1