Indian Goalie Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Makes History, Becomes First Indian To Play In The Europa League
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is fast becoming the breakout footballer from India with a year of many firsts. In his latest career move, the goalie became the first footballer from India to play in the Europa League for a European team. The game with Connah’s Quay Nomads FC ended in a 0-0 draw as Sandhu scripted a verse of football history.
Stabæk XI: Singh, Meling, Skjønsberg, Næss, Moe, Issah, Grossman, Asante, Gorozia, Njie, Ohi
— Stabæk Fotball (@Stabaek) June 30, 2016
Earlier, Sandhu had become the first Indian football player to play in a top European league when he started with Stabaek. Gurpreet is now the only current player from India with extensive experience in European leagues, having been part of three Norwegian cup matches.
Flying to Wales today, looking forward to tomorrow's game #EuropaLeague #indianfootball pic.twitter.com/gPGLPcWQjC
— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) June 29, 2016
Proud to reach another milestone by playing in @EuropaLeague but gutted to have it cut short after injuring my hand pic.twitter.com/89XV8ToLiE
— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) July 1, 2016
The Indian player, however, had to cut short his first stint in the big Europa league after a hand injury forced him to take an early exit in the 27th minute. But this is still a big moment for the young player who is now slowly becoming the go-to goalkeeper for manager Mckinlay ahead of the much more experienced Mande.
Sandhu is now expected to do better things at Stabaek as the Welsh side will visit Stabaek at home next week. If Stabaek goes on to beat Nomads FC, then they will either meet Bokelj of Montenegro or Serbia’s Vojvodina, and crossing that hurdle will put Stabaek in the big league alongside West Ham United and Hertha Berlin.