Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the numero uno goalkeeper for the Blue Tigers, is the twenty-sixth Indian footballer to be conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award.
The sportsman grew up under the coaching of Colm Toal since he got the call-up for India U-16 National side in 2007, and had been under the watchful eyes of Toal and Tanumoy Bose for the next three years, till Toal picked him for the AFC U-19 Championship 2010 qualifiers in Erbil, Iraq.
“It literally gives me goosebumps recalling the time I worked with Colm sir (Toal) and Tanumoy sir (Bose). It was a privilege to work with them. Colm sir was huge for us. Whatever I do or say for them is less. I can’t repay their debt,” Gurpreet averred, getting nostalgic while sharing the impact of Toal and Tanumoy Bose on his career.
“He (Toal) was one of the coaches who showed us what modern football is all about. The way he commanded a room, the way he taught us was remarkable. I still remember how he used to have his shirt folded up. I wish to meet him again and share those stories. It has been a long time, almost 13 years, since I met both of them,” he continued.
Gurpreet also revealed that his goalkeeping credentials were not at par but Colm Toal insisted on including him in the contingent and then Bose worked relentlessly to make him sharper.
“Tanumoy sir told me that the only reason I was called up was because Colm sir wanted me to be there. I still remember the amount of hard work these guys put in behind me. It was just phenomenal. Their efforts helped me achieve whatever I have done till today.”
Significantly, Sandhu’s exploits during the AFC U-19 qualifiers impressed none other than the then National Team coach Bob Houghton, and it eventually paved his pathway to the Blue Tigers camp before the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 after Arindam Bhattacharjee picked up an injury during the preparatory camp.
Gurpreet inked his first professional contract in 2009 with East Bengal before heading to Indian Arrows on loan. He came back to the Red & Golds in 2011 and went on to become their first-choice goalkeeper before joining the Norwegian outfit Stabaek FC in 2014.
“Tanumoy sir was a big reason behind my joining East Bengal. As he played there, he knew the whereabouts. He told me to go to a club where I could train under a goalkeeping coach and improve myself. Then I headed to Kolkata,” the 28-year-old goalkeeper informed.
In fact, Bose, much known for his sharp reflexes during his playing days stated, “As Gurpreet joined East Bengal at that age, he learnt to adapt and handle the pressure of a big club. That helped him immensely in his career as he moved on.”
Gurpreet’s fairytale journey continued as he became the first-ever Indian footballer to play in a Europa League match when he started for Stabaek FC against Welsh side Connah’s Quay Nomads FC in an away match in Rhyl, Wales on June 30, 2016.
Meanwhile, Sandhu shares a special ‘comfort level’ with Jeje Lalpekhlua, another livewire from Colm Toal’s squad. The ‘Mizo Sniper’, who has already played more than 50 international matches for the Blue Tigers, was part of the first Indian Arrows batch alongside Gurpreet Singh Sandhu during 2010-11.
“When I was playing for India U-16 National Team, Jeje-bhai was in the India U-19 National Team. When we got together in Indian Arrows, the chemistry was palpable because both teams used to follow the same system. It didn’t take much time to gel together,” the gloveman added.
