Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu etched his name into Indian football’s history book after becoming the first player in the history of the nation to play in a game in the top division of a European league. The former East Bengal star achieved the feet as he was named in Norwegian side Stabaek’s starting line-up for their Tippeligaen game against Start.
Gurpreet, who has established himself as India’s number one choice between the sticks in the recent past, had moved to the Norwegian side in 2014. However, he remained largely confined to the bench in his debut season. After waiting for months, he finally got his first break for them in a club friendly against Follo in January, 2015.
However, his indomitable spirit has seen him rise in the pecking order in recent times, resulting in much deserved playing time. This season, in fact, has seen the lad from Punjab get some first team action, albeit in the Cup games.
However, this week, Gurpreet made history when he was named a starter in Stabaek’s starting eleven in a bottom of the Norwegian league clash against Start. Thus, after waiting for nearly two long years, Gurpreet finally got his break.
The 6’6” keeper’s start was made even sweeter as he kept a clean sheet as his side romped home to a 5-0 win. The win helped Stabaek pull away from the bottom and they now stand only a point away from getting out of the relegation zone at the midway point of their season.
Gurpreet himself didn’t shy away from recognizing his own achievement.
The Tata Football Academy product who has already represented India at the U-19 and U-23 levels in the last few years has displaced Subrata Paul as India's number one. Sandhu, who was a surprise inclusion in the 2011 Asia Cup squad, made his debut for the Indian national team against Turkmenistan in 2013. Since then he has gone from strength to strength to establish his credentials.
The Manchester United fan is in fact, the only Indian national team player at the moment plying his trade outside the country. The lanky custodian was also part of the East Bengal team who went all the way to the AFC Cup semi-finals in 2013.
His inclusion in the team was met with much rapture around the Indian footballing circle.
Here is the official video from the club:
