You have to wait, or else you won't progress: Gurpreet Sandhu on making football history

Stebaek were scheduled to play a game at 6 pm on 22 April. The football club is located in Baerum, Norway and the team left in their bus at 1 PM pm for Sandefjord, where football club Runar awaited them for a Norwegian Football Cup first-round match. It was during this journey that Stebaek goalkeeping coach Espen Granli informed Gurpreet Singh Sandhu that he would be playing. It was a small step for Stebaek but a giant leap for Indian football. As soon as Gurpreet took to the pitch, he owned a piece of Indian sporting history forever — that of becoming the first Indian footballer to play a competitive match for a club in the top division of Europe (Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Mohammad Salim and Subrata Pal have never played a competitive fixture abroad). “I was not nervous or jittery, but I was afraid that I would make a mistake. I hoped that he (Granli) would have informed me earlier about the decision so I could mentally prepare. The achievement still hasn’t sunk in,” Gurpreet told Firstpost. [caption id=“attachment_2210776” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Gurpreet in action for Stebaek. Facebook[/caption] Gurpreet had played the previous evening too, but it was for the reserves. Playing a competitive fixture for the senior team was a whole new ball game. Being suddenly thrown into the deep meant the end of an eight-month waiting period (he signed for Stebaek in August 2014) and he finished the match with a clean sheet as his side won 6-0. His instructions for the match from manager Bob Bradley were simple: “Make yourself clear to the defence, help us in the air and use your height.” It’s been a long but swift journey to Europe for the 23-year-old. Born in Mohali, Gurpreet made a name for himself at a very young age at St. Stephen’s Academy before joining East Bengal and Pailan Arrows. Having played for India at age group level, Gurpreet was in demand due to his towering stature (6'5") and presence in the box. When Stebaek came calling, he didn’t think twice. In fact, he said that despite interest, he would have spurned the chance to play in the Indian Super League (ISL) to stay in Norway and continue his development, despite being paid more in India. Clearly life hasn’t been simple in Norway: “It’s quite boring compared to India – it’s a very beautiful country but it’s not as noisy or happening. The people are nice though. My biggest challenge has been facing the winter and getting used to living alone.” “Football wise, the speed of the game is very different. Attackers finish, move and anticipate better — which means goalkeepers have to react faster, quicker and be concentrate better.” Gurpreet’s size makes him a formidable opponent in the box. He believes his reach, shot-stopping and kicking is fine — but he needs to work on his anticipation — “I have to think quicker” is how he puts it. [caption id=“attachment_2210778” align=“alignright” width=“380”]  Gurpreet’s biggest virtue is patience. Facebook[/caption] His biggest virtue though, is patience: “When you’re a goalkeeper at a better place (club), you need to be patient. I trust the coaches and I realise that it took me a few months to get ready. I’ve been played at the right time to be honest. The wait was frustrating at times, but I made myself understand that there are reasons I was on the bench. You have to wait, or else you’ll never go up,” he said. The Punjabi believes in ‘classical football’: “I’m more of a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 guy. If I was manager, I’d ask my team to kill off the opponent with simple pass and move.” And that’s how he plays in ‘Be A Pro’ mode as himself for Stebaek on Fifa 15 (his peak overall is 60). He also watches lots of television, mostly reruns of Two and a Half Men (“I didn’t understand Game of Thrones,” he said). His other passion is cooking: “I cook everything - from roti to sabji and rice. My specialty is chicken masala,” he said. Gurpreet describes himself as ‘funny off the field but focussed on it and a good listener’. He believes that the Punjabi-factor in him has mellowed down but he sounds quite bubbly on the phone. From imitating Jeremy Clarkson (his favourite show is Top Gear) to talking about goalkeeping and also the money he earns, he doesn’t need to be pushed for an answer. As a goalkeeper, Gurpreet reckons has at least 15 more years left in him, so he is not in a hurry. His ambition is simple: “Want to reach higher - a higher league, a better country and a better team.”