Gurpreet makes history yet again: first Indian to be included in an Europa League squad
TOMORROW, WHEN Norwegian club Stabaek FC play Welsh club Connah's Quay in the first qualifying round for Europa League, it will be a historic moment for Indian football. Because part of the Stabaek squad travelling to Wales is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Flying to Wales today, looking forward to tomorrow's game #EuropaLeague #indianfootball pic.twitter.com/gPGLPcWQjC
— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) June 29, 2016
The former East Bengal goalkeeper joined the Baerum-based club in 2014. He has come a long way since then, becoming the first choice keeper in the Indian national team, helping the Blue Tigers win the SAFF Championship and then getting to play 3 matches for the Satabek FC first team; 2 in the Norwegian Football Cup, and 1 in the Eliteserien, the top division league of the country.
Stabaek got into the Europa League by virtue of finishing 3rd in the league last season. They have to go through 3 rounds of home-and-away qualifying playoffs in order to make it into the Europa League group stage.
There's a good chance that Sayouba Mande, the first-choice keeper hailing from Ivory Coast will get to play the match. But Gurpreet's presence on the bench will also be a historic feat since it's the first time an Indian has made it that far in a major European tournament.
Although Stabaek have been having a tough time in the domestic league this season and are currently in the relegation zone, one would hope for them to fight hard and make it far in the Europa League. Because Gurpreet has been improving steadily as a keeper and has been rewarded with a league debut recently, and the day may not be far when he is picked ahead of Mande in an Europa game.
