Last week, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu became the first India football player to play for a top-flight European club, making his début as goalkeeper for Stabaek FC in a Norwegian Cup tie. In an exclusive interview, Sandhu spoke at length about his latest achievement, his experiences in Norway, practising in freezing temperatures and more.
How does it feel to be the first Indian ever to play for top-flight European club?
It has been a privilege in becoming a part of history. It feels great, I am blessed to be at such a point and happy that it happened to me.
When did you found out your name in the team? Were there any match-day nerves?
Well, we were to play an away match and while on our way to the stadium, my goal-keeping coach came and told me in the bus that I was to play that day's game. I was shaky but felt excited at the same time and was ready to get on the pitch and cross this barrier as soon as possible. The match went well, thanks to the boys for giving a good performance and scoring goals.
How would you assess your début performance?
Clean sheet – what else one can ask for? The game was great, and I could have been much better, but then you learn with each game.
You have been playing as a second-choice goalkeeper until now. Is it frustrating to be on the bench for long?
It is frustrating at times. But these are the consequences when you are a goalkeeper – you have to wait for the chance because keepers don’t get rotated as often as other players do. Patience is the key.
What are your training strategies?
Basically, ever since I have come here, I have been working on everything and gradually developing myself as a complete player and, yes, I am giving more attention to body balance. I work both on my strengths and my weaknesses equally. I am working hard to improve myself by training.
How is the style and structure of football different in Norway?
Different teams have different styles. There are some teams who use big guys and play physically, but our style is more technical. We try holding the ball and build up the play. The tempo of the game is faster here as compared to India. The players here are also very fast. The clubs here provide us with all the basic amnesties and methods in nurturing us, which many of the international players don’t get in India.
How are you getting along with coah Bob Bradley, who has so much international experience?
The club has been great in supporting me and has been continuously helping me become a better player. They are imparting all the necessary knowledge to help me develop as a player. Bob is a very good coach with immense experience. It is great to be working under him and he has been really supportive. I learn a lot from him everyday.
How are you getting along with other players in the team?
The players are very friendly and humble and I get along very well with all of them.
How are you adjusting in Norway?
On the field it took a bit of time to adjust in these chilly conditions but when you match the level of the game like the others, you start enjoying playing even in the snow. There isn’t much to do off the field, as I live alone. It is a quiet place there is not much around.
After playing five seasons for East Bengal and then moving to Europe, what has the journey been like?
Joining East Bengal was a big step for me in my career as it is a big club with the best players there. It was a privilege for me to play for them and I learnt so much. However, Europe is what I was dreaming, so that I could develop myself even more. I wanted to do what has never been done before. It has been a great career until now.
Do you regret not being a part of the Indian Super League last year?
There was a part of me which wanted to be the part of the Indian Super League but to stay in Europe and make progress was a much bigger priority for me than to join the ISL.
What's your take on Indian football and the juniors coming through the ranks?
Indian football is surely rising but I always say that the youngsters need to go out of the country in order to develop. When we have players playing and training day in day out at the top level, we will benefit a lot from it.
You haven't featured for the Indian senior squad since 2011. Are you working to change that?
I have tried my best to be a part of the national team. And I always will try my best and give it my everything when it comes to the national team.
Who is your idol and what is your dream football club?
My idea is to follow the footsteps of my idol Edwin Van Der Sar and one day play for the biggest club in the world, Manchester United.
How does it feel to be the first Indian ever to play for top-flight European club?
It has been a privilege in becoming a part of history. It feels great, I am blessed to be at such a point and happy that it happened to me.
When did you found out your name in the team? Were there any match-day nerves?
Well, we were to play an away match and while on our way to the stadium, my goal-keeping coach came and told me in the bus that I was to play that day's game. I was shaky but felt excited at the same time and was ready to get on the pitch and cross this barrier as soon as possible. The match went well, thanks to the boys for giving a good performance and scoring goals.
How would you assess your début performance?
Clean sheet – what else one can ask for? The game was great, and I could have been much better, but then you learn with each game.
You have been playing as a second-choice goalkeeper until now. Is it frustrating to be on the bench for long?
It is frustrating at times. But these are the consequences when you are a goalkeeper – you have to wait for the chance because keepers don’t get rotated as often as other players do. Patience is the key.
What are your training strategies?
Basically, ever since I have come here, I have been working on everything and gradually developing myself as a complete player and, yes, I am giving more attention to body balance. I work both on my strengths and my weaknesses equally. I am working hard to improve myself by training.
How is the style and structure of football different in Norway?
Different teams have different styles. There are some teams who use big guys and play physically, but our style is more technical. We try holding the ball and build up the play. The tempo of the game is faster here as compared to India. The players here are also very fast. The clubs here provide us with all the basic amnesties and methods in nurturing us, which many of the international players don’t get in India.
How are you getting along with coah Bob Bradley, who has so much international experience?
The club has been great in supporting me and has been continuously helping me become a better player. They are imparting all the necessary knowledge to help me develop as a player. Bob is a very good coach with immense experience. It is great to be working under him and he has been really supportive. I learn a lot from him everyday.
How are you getting along with other players in the team?
The players are very friendly and humble and I get along very well with all of them.
How are you adjusting in Norway?
On the field it took a bit of time to adjust in these chilly conditions but when you match the level of the game like the others, you start enjoying playing even in the snow. There isn’t much to do off the field, as I live alone. It is a quiet place there is not much around.
After playing five seasons for East Bengal and then moving to Europe, what has the journey been like?
Joining East Bengal was a big step for me in my career as it is a big club with the best players there. It was a privilege for me to play for them and I learnt so much. However, Europe is what I was dreaming, so that I could develop myself even more. I wanted to do what has never been done before. It has been a great career until now.
Do you regret not being a part of the Indian Super League last year?
There was a part of me which wanted to be the part of the Indian Super League but to stay in Europe and make progress was a much bigger priority for me than to join the ISL.
What's your take on Indian football and the juniors coming through the ranks?
Indian football is surely rising but I always say that the youngsters need to go out of the country in order to develop. When we have players playing and training day in day out at the top level, we will benefit a lot from it.
You haven't featured for the Indian senior squad since 2011. Are you working to change that?
I have tried my best to be a part of the national team. And I always will try my best and give it my everything when it comes to the national team.
Who is your idol and what is your dream football club?
My idea is to follow the footsteps of my idol Edwin Van Der Sar and one day play for the biggest club in the world, Manchester United.
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