Dreams do come true!
Six-feet four inches tall Gurpreet Singh Sandhu wowed Indian Football lovers after becoming the first Indian to play in the Europa League.
He started for Norwegian Tippeligaen club Stabaek FC in a qualifier match against Welsh side Connah’s Quay Nomads FC in Rhyl on Thursday. But unfortunately he had to leave the field due to a hand injury in the 28 th minute.
“I am proud but also disappointed that it had to end due to an injury. But then again they are part and parcel of the game and we can’t do anything about them,” Gurpreet told PTI.
The 24-year- old Gurpreet has already started his recovery session in the gymnasium. He further added: “I will have an x-ray taken in some time and we will see. But I am more or less ruled out of the second leg game. I am still looking forward to the future matches and there will be few play-offs.”
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 former East Bengal goalkeeper Gurpreet played a number of matches in the Norwegian cup competitions last season and also started a league game in May this year. However he joined the Norway side in 2014 and came to limelight. He has been their second choice goalkeeper for the last one and a half season.
Flying to Wales today, looking forward to tomorrow’s game #EuropaLeague #indianfootball pic.twitter.com/gPGLPcWQjC
— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) June 29, 2016
Before Gurpreet, players like Mohammed Salim, Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Paul all have played for European sides, but never took part in any top-division game or in the continental competition. Gurpreet who is originally from Mohali has certainly gone one step ahead.
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