'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Norwegian club Stabaek who employ Indian national goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu confirmed their place in the top three of the Norwegian Tippeligaen. While that in itself is good news, it also means that the club also will participate in the Europa League playoffs for the 2015-16 season.
If Gurpreet is picked in the squad for the Europa League playoffs next season, he stands a chance to become the first Indian in history to make an appearance in a European competition. While, not discounting domestic leagues, the prestige associated with competitions where the elite European clubs butt heads is a whole another level.
Stabaek guaranteed themselves a third-placed finish at least on Sunday when they beat IK Start 3-2. It means they have 56 points from 29 games this season. The closest next team is on 52 points. With only 1 game to go to the end of the season, Gurpreet’s side have made the cut. They could even finish second if they win the final match against Bodo Glimt and second placed Stromgodset fail to get anything but a win against Valerenga.
Another less feasible situation could also see them into second place, that would be if both teams win but Stabaek do so by a goal difference of more than 7. Even if they do finish in second place, the prize as far as European participation in concerned remains the same.
The former East Bengal goalkeeper has not made a single appearance for the Norwegian club this season but has been on the bench in all of their games. He would even make history by simply making the squad for Stabaek’s Europa League push next season becoming the first Indian to be named in a squad in European competition.
Last season was similar for Gurpreet at Stabaek where he did not make any league appearances but this season he has appeared for the club in the domestic cup competition. However, Gurpreet’s immediate focus will be India’s all but over 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign as the Indian national team gets set to face Guam in the upcoming weeks.
The 23-year-old has established himself as the top choice among a number of other prominent names in contention for the goalkeeping position in the Indian football team. The youngster has a long way to go and could reach a number of milestones if he lives up to the promise playing in Norway.
