NEW DELHI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the first-choice goalkeeper for the Indian football team, acknowledges the healthy competition with challenger Amrinder Singh but emphasises that winning matches takes precedence over individual performances.
During the Tri-Nation Cup earlier this year, where India emerged victorious by defeating Myanmar 1-0 and the Kyrgyz Republic 2-0 to claim the title, both Gurpreet and Amrinder jointly received the 'Goalkeeper of the Tournament' award.
"The relationship between the players is extremely good. There is competition for places in a way, but we are like brothers, and we all know that either of us can step in and do the job on any given day," Gurpreet stated.
He continued, "It's an honour to play for the country, and whenever given the opportunity, we must do justice to it. Of course, we also support each other to be mentally prepared for such opportunities whenever they arise. Ultimately, the priority is to see the team succeed rather than just being on the pitch."
Looking ahead to the AFC Asian Cup scheduled for January-February in Qatar next year, Gurpreet believes that participating in back-to-back international tournaments is "very good" for the Indian team's preparation.
The team is set to compete in several matches, including the Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneswar, the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, the King's Cup in Thailand (September), and the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia (October).
Gurpreet sees these tournaments as valuable opportunities for players to refine their skills and gain experience against strong opponents.
"Back-to-back tournaments are very beneficial for us. We have a significant number of games ahead, which I personally appreciate. I don't think we have ever had such a schedule before," Gurpreet expressed.
"Tournaments like these are always challenging but also provide an excellent chance to enhance our abilities against formidable teams and potentially win some silverware. The Asian Cup holds immense importance for us. We need to play more competitive games whenever possible to aid our preparation for the tournament."
Currently in a training camp in Bhubaneswar ahead of the Intercontinental Cup, the Indian team initially started with a squad of 40 players, which was later reduced to 27 after rigorous physical tests conducted by the coaching staff.
The team is making use of the facilities provided by the Government of Odisha, utilising them to get into top shape for the upcoming challenges.
"The last few days in the camp have been fruitful. We have undergone various tests and been exposed to different situations," Gurpreet shared.
"The facilities in Odisha have been fantastic for us. Bhubaneswar has everything a player could ask for. The training facilities, dressing rooms, recovery areas, gyms, and fitness equipment are all top-notch."
Gurpreet also highlighted the stability of the team's core over the past year, with players delivering consistent performances.
"While nothing is guaranteed in terms of securing a position on the pitch, many players have been part of the squad consistently since last year because they have consistently performed," Gurpreet noted.
"This level of consistency is crucial if we aim for the team to achieve great things. Additionally, some players have successfully returned from injuries, which is always a positive sign."
(With inputs from PTI)
