From St. Stephens Football Academy in Chandigarh to the senior Indian national team centre back, Sandesh Jhingan has come a long way in his footballing career. He made his debut for the senior team only a year ago against Nepal and hasn’t looked back since.
The 23-year-old spoke to a few journalists ahead of India’s crunch match against Puerto Rico on Saturday. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Sandesh, back in 2014 you said you’re a work in progress. What about now? You’re in the senior teamOf course, I am happy to be part of the national team. It is a dream for any Indian footballer. I would say, I am still a work in progress. Till the end of my career, I will be a work in progress. You need to always be in learning mode. I had some difficulties with injuries. I missed the SAFF Cup last year, which was a big blow for me.
But there are always two sides to a coin - a positive and a negative side. I always looked at the positives. I’ve only learnt from my difficulties and really happy to be now part of the national team.
You’ve played all across the back line. Has, coach Constantine tested you in different positions?For the national team, I basically play only as a centre back. But I am willing to help my team by playing as a right back, left back or any other position. But for now, I will only play the centre back’s role.
Your thoughts on the Puerto Rico side?We’ve been preparing for this game for a while, including the camps we had previously in Delhi. We also played Bhutan. So we’ve been preparing hard for it. It’s an important game for us and, of course, Puerto Rico is a good team so it should be a good contest.
We’re going to learn something from them, they will learn something from us. It’s going to be a good game. We’re hoping to put on a good show. If we play to our strengths, we might be able to get a result.
Every game helps you. Whether it was (beating Bhutan) or playing Iran. Every game has its own importance. It’s just that you need to improve after every game and training session. We’re optimistic about this game as well.
As a centre back, how important is the physical aspect of the game?For a defender, the physical aspect is very important. I like getting physical, I like getting dirty in the game. I like the elbows. It’s part of my game and I really enjoy it. Obviously, there are two sides to me.
Off the field, I am a different person. But I enjoy doing the dirty stuff in the field so that we can give the ball to the more creative players. It’s not easy doing the dirty work.
Subrata Paul received the Arjuna award. Do you see that as an individual award or for the total footballing fraternity?Personally, for Subrata, I am very happy because I’ve known him for a really long time. He’s been really good servant to the national team and he deserves the award. All the years he has given to Indian football, this is something he should have achieved.
For players like us as well it’s a great motivating aspect. A player who plays with us gets an award, that’s a great motivation.
Sports scientist and your physical conditioning coach, Daniel Deigan said you are the fastest player in the squadI have paid him to say that (laughs). But yes, I am really happy he said that.
He’s a top guy and really helps you. When the camp is over, he is always there. You can always send him a text message; he’s always helping us. He has really improved me physically and mentally as well.
