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New Delhi: The Blue Tigers are ready to move forward together as they prepare for the upcoming challenge of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2022 in Qatar, with a number of young guns a part of the 28-member Indian squad.

One such name is 20-year-old goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who will compete against senior pros Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Amrinder Singh for a place in the starting XI and also continue the process of ‘learning’ from the experienced duo.

Dheeraj said: “I feel really happy to be part of the national team and it is an honour for me to get this opportunity at a young age. I get to learn a lot of things from the senior players by playing and training with the best goalkeepers in the league. We have Gurpreet paji and Amrinder paji and it’s a very important thing for me and I am looking forward to learning lots of things from them –- both on and off the pitch.”

The former U-17 World Cupper and Indian Arrows custodian, who received his first Blue Tigers call-up in November last year, recollected his welcome to the national team ‘family’ and explained how he has been learning from his seniors.

 “I still remember when I got the first call-up for the senior national team –- they (Gurpreet and Amrinder) congratulated me and the team welcomed me like a family member. They were very nice to me and told me that I have been doing well and have a lot to learn. They keep on motivating me, help me rectify my mistakes during training and tell me what to do and what not to do, what is better for me and what’s not. It is something very important and a huge learning for me.”

Dheeraj, who produced an eye-catching performance for his club FC Goa in the recently concluded AFC Champions League 2021 Group Stage in Goa — getting named twice in the ACL’s Team of the Week — spoke about the strength and depth in the Blue Tigers goalkeeping department, terming it as a ‘tough competition’.

“Honestly speaking, we have very good goalkeepers in India -– in the senior national team and the leagues. Many good goalkeepers are coming up and we have a very tight competition among ourselves. I am very young and have lots of areas that I have to improve upon.”

“It’s a very tough competition and a tough challenge for me and for every goalkeeper as they have set that benchmark for us to try and reach. I am working for that chance and know that I have to use the coming opportunity in the best way,” the former AIFF Academy cadet averred.

He also shared his thoughts on the overall rise in the number of top-quality goalkeepers domestically, starting right from the junior level and the increase in the opportunity for Indian custodians to gain playing time.

“Now, we have most clubs playing with Indian goalkeepers domestically. Obviously, for a goalkeeper, it is very important to play regularly to gain confidence. Training and playing matches are totally different as when you play games, you learn a lot of things and there are many unique situations that come up in the matches. It’s a good experience for a goalkeeper to keep on playing matches consistently,” Dheeraj opined.

“I think that’s the reason many goalkeepers are coming up with good standards. Even when I was in the junior national team, we had keepers like Nawaz (Mohammad Nawaz)  and Gill (Prabhsukhan Singh Gill). They are all very good and having a very healthy goalkeeper quality and competition is very good. As a player, every day is a competition for me and they pushed me every day — that’s how I have grown and we go forward together as a goalkeepers’ union.”

(AIFF Media)

New Delhi: The transition in Indian Football has been such that Anirudh Thapa, barely 23, finds himself a senior pro amidst the influx of young talent that is making it to the Senior Team. Currently, in Doha, Thapa, a former AIFF Academy cadet, opens up about his role in the team, the ‘challenging times,’ improving on him converting more chances, the forthcoming match against Asian champions Qatar, and much more. EXCERPTS:

What were you focussing on when you were at home after the International Friendlies in March?

The primary aim was to stay fit, and in proper condition so that when the National Team call came I would be in my best physical prowess. Professor (Luka Radman, fitness coach) has always insisted on building muscle power and strength and I was working relentlessly in the gym. But then the second wave struck and I was confined to my home for the last two weeks. From that time onward, I worked mostly on the individual programmes which were sent to me.

Do you feel you have reached your peak?

I never feel so. There is still a long way to go for me and I need to improve on a whole lot of aspects.

What are those aspects?

I need to convert more chances. Vision wise, I know I can do better. I need to be adept to the changing playing circumstances that arise during the match. For example, there may be phases where we need to play direct football during the match. I need to push up front a bit more to help increase the numbers. But then, it should never be coming at the cost of me leaving a vacant hole in the midfield. I am learning how to balance it. I need to watch my back and go up.

How do you describe your role in the team?

My role has changed. There are many young players coming in and challenging everyone. My job is to guide them as to what is expected from them in the national team set-up. You just cannot be selfish and just help yourself. You need to think about others too.

Can you elaborate?

The set-up in the National Team is a different feeling altogether. Starting from the pride to the game sense to the tempo and intensity of the training sessions, and eventually the matches – whatever I have learnt, I share with them. At the end, we are representing 1.4 billion people and they are never to be let down.

The last time we played Qatar in Qatar, we held them goalless. What are your thoughts leading to the return-leg?

That was some 18 months back. It’s a different situation right now. But we understand that Qatar are eagerly looking forward to the match. But we know that we will try to do good on the field. We don’t want to be disappointed. We are not there to make up the numbers. We are confident in our abilities and we are taking it one match at a time.

(AIFF Media)

 

 

New Delhi: The Indian National Team landed safely at the Hamad International Airport Doha late evening yesterday (May 19, 2021) for India’s three forthcoming matches in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers, slated to be played from June 3 onwards.

The 28 players and the support staff are in compulsory quarantine till they receive the test results of the conducted RTPCR tests in Doha. The squad will thereafter, be allowed to kick-off their preparatory camp as part of their preparation for the matches.

The AIFF would like to put on record its gratitude to the Qatar Football Federation for their help, cooperation and understanding in helping the Blue Tigers to assemble in Doha and start the camp, all in an effort to take football forward together.

“We are extremely grateful and thankful to the Qatar FA for the manner they went out of the way and helped us begin our camp in Qatar early.

“The Group E World Cup Qualifiers will be played from inside a secure bio bubble. We understand that there are certain mandatory health parameters which we need to adhere upon arrival in Doha, which we will with complete diligence,” AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das averred.

“The AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel had detailed chats with the President of the Qatar FA who raised our concern with the Prime Minister’s Office, after which the 10-day quarantine period was waived off,” Mr. Das informed.

The preparatory camp was originally slated to happen in Kolkata from May 2 onwards till the second wave of the covid pandemic forced a cancellation. The Blue Tigers also had a scheduled friendly match behind closed doors in Dubai as part of the preparation, but even that had to be cancelled.

The 28-member squad along with the support staff flew out from New Delhi wherein they were in a compulsory isolation upon their arrival from their respective hometowns from May 15 onwards. The entire contingent had arrived in the Capital with mandatory negative RTPCR test results, and had undergone another RTPCR test prior to flying off to Doha.

India who are currently on 3 points from 5 matches in Group E are scheduled to play Asian Champions Qatar on June 3, Bangladesh on June 7, and Afghanistan on June 15 with all three matches to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha.

The round of matches is being played in Doha in view of the COVID pandemic situation which doesn’t allow the original format of home and away matches. India are currently on 3 points from 3 matches in Group E.

The Senior National Team has already had a camp earlier this year in Dubai, after the completion of the domestic season, following which, they participated in two FIFA International Friendlies against Oman and UAE.

India’s fixtures:

June 3: India vs Qatar (IST 10.30pm).

June 7: Bangladesh vs India (IST 7.30pm).

June 15: India vs Afghanistan (IST 7.30pm).

(AIFF Media)

New Delhi: A 28-member Indian National Team squad has left for Doha on May 19, 2021 for India’s three forthcoming matches in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers, slated to be played from June 3 onwards.

As per the health parameters required to travel to Qatar, all the travelling players and staff carry with them negative test results from the RTPCR tests conducted in the last 48 hours. All of them were also in isolation in the Capital under the bio bubble at the team hotel from May 15 onwards.

Stimac stated that although it is not the “ideal situation” ahead of the June Qualifiers, the Blue Tigers will be putting in “intense” sessions before their matches get underway.

“It’s not an ideal situation as we move ahead to the Qualifiers in June. Due to the pandemic, our National Camp which was slated to begin in Kolkata at the beginning of May had to get cancelled. The pandemic also robbed us of a friendly match in Dubai,” the Head Coach maintained.

“However, we understand the magnitude of the situation, and it will be intense sessions in Doha to raise the tempo and try to get ready for the matches which starts with the one against the Asian Champions Qatar in Doha,” Stimac averred.

India are scheduled to play Asian Champions Qatar on June 3, Bangladesh on June 7, and Afghanistan on June 15 with all three matches to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha. Among the 28 named for the camp, Glan Martins remains the sole player to have made it to a National team camp for the first-time ever.

Meanwhile, National Team captain Sunil Chhetri expressed his relief to get back into the National team set-up.

“It’s such a relief to be back in the National team squad – after all, home is where the heart is. Personally, I am eagerly looking forward to being in Doha. The last time I was in Doha, I couldn’t be a part of the match against Qatar owing to illness,” Sunil, who has 72 International goals to his name, opined.

“The matches in June are extremely tough and we need to take them one at a time. Given the fact that we don’t have much time, the preparatory camp will add immense value helping all to gel together, and strike that chord ahead of the first match,” he added.

“Doha has always had an emotional connection with me. It was there that I played in the 2011 Asian Cup, and also the AFC Cup final for my club Bengaluru FC.”

The round of matches is being played in Doha in view of the COVID pandemic situation which doesn’t allow the original format of home and away matches. India are currently on 3 points from 3 matches in Group E.

The Senior National Team has already had a camp earlier this year in Dubai, after the completion of the domestic season, following which, they participated in two FIFA International Friendlies against Oman and UAE.

India’s fixtures:

June 3: India vs Qatar (IST 10.30pm).

June 7: Bangladesh vs India (IST 7.30pm).

June 15: India vs Afghanistan (IST 7.30pm).

(AIFF Media)

 

New Delhi: It was only around two months ago that 20-year-old goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem was called up for the Senior National Team camp. The momentous occasion that it was, by his own admission, the National team call-up went on to motivate him to put up a stellar performance for his club FC Goa in the AFC Champions League 2021 Group Stage, which took place a couple of weeks later.

Dheeraj, who had twice been named in the AFC Champions League’s Team of the Week for his performances, played a big part in helping FC Goa secure a third-place finish in Group E of the AFC Champions League, with FC Goa being the first Indian team to play in the Group Stage of the competition.

Dheeraj narrated: “I got the National Team call-up right after the Hero ISL. It gave me the opportunity to travel with the Senior Team to the UAE. It was a big motivation for me to train with Gurpreet paaji and Amrinder paaji. I was so motivated at that point that I reported straight to Goa after we came back.”

“Getting into the National Team had a big impact on my confidence. Our coach also gave us a lot of confidence, taking the pressure off our shoulders. He just told us to go out there and play our normal game, and that’s what we did,” continued Dheeraj.

With FC Goa being India’s first-ever representatives in the AFC Champions League Group Stage, Dheeraj and his teammates had a tall order, facing off against quality teams like 2020 Champions League runners-up Persepolis FC (Iran), Al Wahda FC (UAE), and Al Rayyan SC (Qatar). However, the young goalkeeper got two clean sheets to his name, making 19 saves from his five appearances.

“I still remember when the AFC Champions League started, many of my friends asked whether I was ready, and how many goals I expected to concede,” recalled Dheeraj.

“We came up as a very strong team that was disciplined and difficult to score against. We did really well in the first two games, and that really gave us the confidence to go forward for the rest of the matches. I think it was the benefit of playing the Hero ISL, that we had moved forward together, and could perform at that level.”

During the AFC Champions League Group E campaign, Dheeraj was a constant recipient of accolades, especially from opposition coaches. The likes of Laurent Blanc, a former FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro winner with France, who was the coach of Al Rayyan, and Al Wahda head coach Henk ten Kate, who had coached at top clubs like FC Barcelona, Ajax Amsterdam and Chelsea FC, showered praises on the young goalkeeper.

During the last Group E match between FC Goa and Al Wahda, Dheeraj had to be substituted off, due to an injury he had sustained on his throat while making a save. With the match still going on, ten Kate proceeded to the opposition technical area after Dheeraj got substituted, and went on to shower praises on the 20-year-old for his heroics under the bar. The keeper, in return, could only squeak out a weak “thank you,” partly because he was dumbfounded at the gesture, and partly because of the injured throat.

“I still remember, he (ten Kate) came over to our side of the dugout and shook my hand, and gave me a lot of good words. I was not able to speak much because my throat was really painful, and I could only muster a soft ‘thank you’,” recalled Dheeraj.

“It felt very good to be praised by such a high-profile and respected coach. But I was also sad that I was not able to continue the game. It felt very nice to get those good words from him, though,” smiled Dheeraj.

(AIFF Media)

New Delhi: The rectangular patch of green grass means the world to most football players. While they weave their way around opponents in search of a goal, Blue Tigers midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam has found another patch of green that he is quite drawn to during the off-seasons – the paddy fields.

For the former India U-17 FIFA World Cup captain, helping out his family on their farm near Imphal is more of an opportunity for him to go back to his roots.

“It’s a different kind of field. But for me, it is like going back to my roots. My family has been farming paddy for so many generations. Although I have sort of moved away from that, in my life as a footballer, I still like to get back to it whenever I can,” Amarjit said to the-aiff.com.

“It is somewhat different out on the paddy field after a hard season. The football pitch is all about the hustle and bustle and the chaos. But out here on the paddy field, it’s all so calm and serene. It’s really quite refreshing.”

The 20-year-old feels that this is one way of giving back to his family, who had made a lot of sacrifices for him. He had even helped his family last year post the lockdown but this year he has taken the next step.

The knowledge of the soil and the plow is another thing that the young mind of Amarjit is soaking in, while working with his family on the fields, which makes it learning on two fronts for him – football and farming.

AN OFF-SEASON ACTIVITY

“This is my little way of giving back to my family. My parents had sacrificed so much when I was a kid, to help me play football. spending a few hours during the lockdown to help them on the paddy field is nothing compared to that,” said Amarjit.

Generally, the young midfielder does not get much opportunity to spend time at home, even during the off-season. However, with all the footballing activities coming to an end after the season due to the second wave of the COVID-19 virus, Amarjit is currently at home.

“Generally, when it’s the off-season in club football, we have International matches and the time spent at home is even less. It is an absolute honour to don the National Team jersey but one does like to spend time at home, and these last two years, I have got the opportunity to do that,” he informed.

While he has not had the most memorable of seasons in 2020-21 in the Hero ISL due to an injury, the 20-year-old had another experience of a lifetime, when he appeared for FC Goa in the AFC Champions League – the first time an Indian team was playing in the tournament.

“I’ve had a somewhat difficult season, as I have spent a lot of time recovering from an injury. But it has been a good experience in FC Goa so far. I also got to play in the AFC Champions League which was a great experience for us. We stepped up really well and produced some good results,” he continued.

WORKING ON A ‘DOUBLE SHIFT’

It may be the off-season, but the youngster is working double shifts, training in the morning, while sweating it out on the paddy fields later on.

“Yes, it’s hard work. I still practice in the mornings, but laboring on the paddy field makes for a good pre-season workout,” laughed Amarjit.

“At the end of the day, it is something that you get to learn. I have been playing at the academy (AIFF Elite Academy) since I was a kid, and we have had to learn so much about the game,” he stated.

“But we need to learn and be inquisitive about other things too — in order to become better human beings. I enjoy learning new things, and farming is definitely one of the things that are right up there, after football of course.”

(AIFF Media)