Mohali (Punjab) born Gurpreet Singh Sandhu became the first Indian ever to play a competitive football match for the senior side of a first division European side. The 23-year-old goalkeeper turned out for Stabaek FC in a Norwegian Cup game in Sandefjord against Runar. To his credit, he kept a clean sheet in his side's 6-0 romp.
"It feels great, and I feel very lucky to be at this point, doing this," an elated Gurpreet said. "I couldn't ask for more. I am happy that my coach (Bob Bradley) and goalkeeping coach (Espen Granli) trusted me. The fact I kept a clean sheet adds to the joy," he added.
Gurpreet moved to Stabaek from East Bengal in August last year. By starting for the first team, he surpassed big names like Mohammad Salim, Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Pal who plied their trade in Europe but never managed an appearance in the top tier. While Bhutia played competitive matches for Bury FC in the third division, Salim featured in friendlies for Celtic. Chhetri and Paul could never make the cut for Sporting Lisbon 'B' and FC Vestsjaelland during their brief stays in Portugal and Denmark respectively.
By his own admission, Sandhu was largely untested with his side taking the game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle. Still, his feat "was not an easy task," as former India captain Sunil Chhetri pointed out.
"I didn't have much to do to be honest. But the sheer fact that I was between the team winning or getting knocked out from the Cup was a great feeling. I was talking to the defenders all the time and staying focused. It's not easy to be in the game when the team is attacking," said Gurpreet.
Narrating how the D-Day in his life unfolded, Gurpreet said it was on the match day itself that the goalkeeping coach walked up to him in the team bus and broke the news. "I was pretty surprised. It took me some time before I could give him a high-five. I played in the first reserve game on Monday and I was pretty good in that match. It's very difficult for a goalkeeper to stave off completion and make the first team. I had to work my socks off to see the light of the day. I am living my dream now."
Since joining the former Norwegian champions on a three-year contract last year, Gurpreet has been playing second fiddle to Ivory Coast international Sayouba Mande. Currently, Stabaek are ninth in the 16-team table after three matches, and Gurpreet wants to feature regularly for the first team now. "I miss India and the fans there. Here, there is not much frenzy but the standard of football is very high. I have to work so much harder to keep my spot and I know it won't be easy."
Gurpreet who has represented India once drew a lot of praise from his senior national team colleagues including idol Subrata Pal. While Baichung felt that the start would do his confidence a world of good, Chhetri added that "the first time I saw him, during Bob's (Houghton) tenure, I knew this lad had potential. We met for the Nepal game last time and he said how he was relishing his time in Norway."
India captain Pal wished him luck, saying: "I want him to grow. He is an inspiration for so many budding footballers. What he has achieved is remarkable.”
