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Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is still only 21 but has already played numerous high profile games for East Bengal. And on Tuesday, he possibly played the biggest game of his career so far as he featured in the AFC Cup quarter-final second leg away at Indonesia’s Semen Padang.
The young custodian made a good save early on from a corner but was responsible for Semen Padang’s opening goal as his poor goal kick allowed Edward Junior Wilson to level the tie on aggregate. But instead of dwelling on that howler, Gurpreet showed great character to bounce back and made a brilliant save in the second half when the score was still 1-0 to Semen Padang.
Gurpreet is still disappointed to lose the clean sheet but thanked coach Marcos Falopa and his teammates for believing in him despite the first half error.
“I just gifted them a goal but I am happy to bounce back. I was very disappointed but the coaching staff and the team backed me and made me forget my mistake. That allowed me to give my best again. I hope the fans forgive me too,” Gurpreet told Sportskeeda in exclusive chat after the match.
James Moga’s second half goal saw East Bengal equalise and eventually win the tie 2-1 on aggregate. They became the first Indian club to reach the AFC Cup semi-finals since Dempo in 2008 and it is already one of Gurpreet’s best achievements in his career.
“Yes you can say it has been a great achievement for me personally at club level,” said Gurpreet, who made his debut for East Bengal more than three years ago as a teenager.
It was under Trevor Morgan that East Bengal reached the quarter-finals without losing a game and now Brazilian Marcos Falopa has guided the Kolkata club to the semis while they are still unbeaten. Gurpreet paid tribute to both coaches for taking the team to the last four.
“Falopa Sir has obviously done a good job motivating us. Morgan Sir also did his best when he was here and we have repaid him too,” the goalkeeper said.
East Bengal are likely to face holders Kuwait SC in the semi-finals as they have already won the first leg 7-2 away at Maldives’ New Radiant. It will be the first West Asian club side that East Bengal will face in this season’s AFC Cup but Gurpreet believes the red-and-gold brigade are ready to take on anybody and hopes playing the first leg away doesn’t turn out to be a disadvantage.
“We are ready to face anybody at the moment. Our spirits are high and we just want to perform the same way we have been doing so far in this competition and hope for a good result.
When asked about the first leg being away, he replied, “I hope it’s not a disadvantage. Let’s see what happens.”
The first leg of the semi-finals is scheduled for October 1 with the return fixture in Kolkata on October 22.
