Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has obtained appreciation for his efficiency regardless of the Sunil Chhetri-led Indian soccer group taking place 0-1 to Asian champions Qatar in a World Cup Qatar 2022 and Asian Cup China 2023 preliminary Round 2 qualification match.
Qatar’s high wing-back Abdelkarim Hassan informed Sandhu after the match that he was good to play in the Premier League, stated an All India Football Association (AIFF) press launch on Friday.
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“You must be enjoying in the Premier League; you might be adequate. What are you doing right here?” said Abdelkarim, who was thwarted several times by Sandhu during the match on Thursday night contest, according to the release.
“Great job man. You are too good. The next time we play, I will score past you,” the 27-year-old Qatar participant was quoted as saying.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez acknowledged India have been a “tough group to beat”.
“We generated around 25 shots in the match and the goalkeeper played a great game once again. He was very good under the bar and made a huge difference. The next time we play again, we will not allow him to be at his best,” he stated.
Sandhu stated that although he didn’t depend the variety of saves he made, it was rather a lot.
“I didn’t depend the variety of saves. But I really feel it was greater than the final time,” he referring to the World Cup 2022 Qualifiers match in 2019 when India held Qatar to a goalless draw.
“We played with 10-men for most part of the match [on Thursday]. But we had our chances too. Against such quality opposition, such chances come very rare. We need to take them,” felt Sandhu.
Former India goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who performs for SC East Bengal, applauded Sandhu.
“I have to hug Gurpreet for the way in which he got here out with such flying colors. When a rival group is attacking relentlessly, it’s straightforward to lose focus for that break up second. But he’s my particular boy,” he said from Kolkata.
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