Gurpeet Singh Sandhu’s stint in Stabeak his turning point, says Sandip Nandy

Gurpeet Singh Sandhu’s stint in Stabeak his turning point, says Sandip Nandy

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Former India footballer Sandip Nandy has pointed out that Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s stint with Norwegian club Stabaek FC was the turning point in his career. The former NorthEast United goal-keeping coach also stated terms Sandhu amongst the top three Asian custodians at the moment.

The India No.1 has been a star in the national side since breaking into the senior team and Nandy, who had watched Gurpreet closely during his formative years in East Bengal, has been of the opinion that it was his overseas stint in Norway that was his career’s turning point.

“He has evolved since then. His stint with Stabeak, according to me, was the turning point in his career. I reiterate he is currently one of the top three in Asia,” said Nandy, reported PTI.

Sandhu had joined Stabaek FC from East Bengal back in 2014 before becoming the first Indian to play at the UEFA Europa League in a qualifier against Welsh side Connah’s Quay Nomads FC. Sandhu’s last brilliant performance came in India’s World Cup qualifier against Qatar away from home and the goalkeeper came up with at least 10 saves to secure a goalless away draw against the World Cup hosts last month.

And Nandy went on to state that Sandhu should be playing in Japan or Europe to prosper. “I feel he should seriously contemplate pursuing his career in J-League or any top Asian country, or maybe another European country to prosper. That would make him richer as a player. I have seen him from close quarters. He is a completely different goalkeeper at the moment. He is a changed personality since 2011. His self-confidence has gone from strength to strength with each match and hopefully, he will carry it forward for some good years ahead.

“A goalkeeper is all about how he carries himself. His confidence defines him. I just cannot stop going back to the match against Qatar. An Indian goalkeeper playing that manner for whole 90 minutes is still unthinkable,” he added.

India are currently placed one point from two matches in Group E and would be facing bottom-ranked Bangladesh next in the World Cup qualifiers on October 15.

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