New Delhi: Though Manolo Marquez picked Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to man India’s goal in two of his first three matches in charge, it hasn’t been enough to disarm a growing consensus of the national team’s No.1 spot being up for grabs, after nearly a decade of unchallenged reign.
With an eye on the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers that begins in March next year, the Spaniard has gradually included fresh faces, with Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Vibin Mohanan, Irfan Yadwad and Thoiba Singh Moirangthem getting maiden call-ups for the Malaysia friendly on November 18.
But it is is the keeping position that Marquez has been loathe to try and test, possibly because of the sense of security evoking from Sandhu’s multiple memorable performances over the years, including a saved penalty on his 75th cap against Vietnam last month in a 1-1 draw.
But after years of being a back-up, Vishal Kaith’s consistency for Mohun Bagan and subsequent clamour to be made the new first-choice keeper is hard to ignore.
It and wouldn’t have slipped Sandhu’s notice either as not since taking over the reins from Subrata Paul in 2015 has the Bengaluru FC keeper been subjected to such competition in the national set-up.
Earning the trust of multiple foreign coaches is no mean feat, and for sure the 37-year-old isn’t willing to give up without a fight.
Sandhu though is aware he can’t take his position for granted as Kaith is knocking, along with Amrinder Singh, who was under the bar in India’s goalless draw with Mauritius in Marquez’s first game in charge.
“Vishal has been doing really well. Having in the team is a pleasure knowing that he can push me. Same with Amrinder, even I would do the same if the roles were reversed,” Sandhu said in response to a News9 Sports query during a media interaction on Wednesday.
“I feel lucky to have such healthy competition. And that’s not just the case in my position, but the outfielders as well. There’s a lot of new blood coming into the team, who have been doing well for their clubs. It’s a very professional and healthy space in the national team right now.”
Conceding only six times in eight games for BFC in the 2024-25 Indian Super League suggests Sandhu is up for the fight.
‘Target Asian Cup qualification’
But apart from his individual battle, he acknowledges that as an elder statesman of the team, he is also responsible to create a “healthy” and “competitive environment”, ensure prevalence of a good mood in the camp and is glad to have former BFC team-mate Sandesh Jhinghan after a long-term knee injury.
Since Sandhu has been part of three Asian Cup squads (2011, 2019 and 2023), nothing short of qualification for that elite continental tournament would be enough for him.
“I think qualifying is the minimum for us as a team that we should strive to do, because we have done it already in the last two editions,” he said, emphasizing on the need to utilise the six training sessions before the Malaysia game to get in tune with the coach’s demands and notch up their first win of the year against an opponent who won 4-2 against India in the Merdeka Cup just over a year ago.
Veteran Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is ready to fight to remain as India’s No.1 keeper ahead of their friendly against Malaysia on Nov 18 Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
