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Sandesh’s move makes us proud, Blue Tigers say in unison

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Wishes poured in from the Blue Tigers as National Team defender Sandesh ‘Ironman’ Jhingan was officially announced as an HNK Sibenik player,

Kolkata: Wishes poured in from the Blue Tigers as National Team defender Sandesh ‘Ironman’ Jhingan was officially announced as an HNK Sibenik player, making him the first Indian defender to sign a professional contract in Europe.

National Team midfielder Pronay Halder, who has been an integral part of the Indian Senior National Team since his International in 2015 recalled his memories of playing with Sandesh – both at the club level, and for India. “Proud of you Sandesh, Good luck,” Pronay stated. “I wish you all the best. I hope you have settled down. Keep rocking.”

Jhingan became the fifth Indian male footballer to sign a professional contract in Europe after Bhaichung Bhutia, Subrata Paul, Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. That apart, Sunil Chhetri was also contracted with MLS club Kansas City.

“Big congratulations Sandesh-paaji,” quipped Anirudh Thapa. “It’s a big achievement for Indian Football – all the best. We understand that when you come back you will be an entirely different player, and it will all transpire on to us. Go out and play your game – have fun,” Anirudh expressed.

The Blue Tigers are currently camping in Kolkata in preparation for the forthcoming International Friendlies against Nepal in September.

Defender Adil Khan, lauded Sandesh on being brave, and taking a very brave decision. “Congratulations Sandesh. It’s a great decision that you have taken. We are all very proud of you. You inspire us all. The youth all over the country will look up to you, try to imitate you and follow your footsteps,” Adil, who has partnered Sandesh as a central defender for the National team, opined.

‘Assist Master’ Brandon Fernandes stressed on this being an extremely “proud moment.”

“I want to wish you all the best of luck in your new journey. This is a proud moment not just for Indian Football but the country overall,” Brandon commented. “I wish you success and hope you do well. I also hope Sandesh’s move opens up a lot of new avenues for aspiring and established Indian footballers.”

“Give your heart out to everything like always when you play,” the soft-spoken Mandar Rao Dessai echoed. “You have made all of us very proud. I wish you the best for your new journey.”

(AIFF Media)

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Transfers

Sandesh Jhingan joins HNK Sibenik in the Top Tier League of Croatia

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Sibenik: Sandesh Jhingan will become the first India international footballer to play in the Croatian top-tier league Prva HNL after completing a move from ATK Mohun Bagan to HNK Sibenik.

The 28-year-old Sandesh will be the flag bearer of India’s top division league, Indian Super League (ISL) to have made the transition to a European top division league.

“We are very happy to have Sandesh with us. We expect good things from him as we have followed him on different platforms where we were able to see his past performances. Although we know the adaptation process might take him a few weeks, we are confident that with his quality and leadership, he will become an important member of the team,” said Francisco Cardona, CEO of HNK Sibenik.

Named India’s footballer of the year last month, the Indian defender is already in Croatia and watched Sunday’s home win against Hrvatski Dragovoljac.

“He made a very good impression on the staff and fans of the club when he was watching the last home game from the stands. He showed passion and energy for the team,” said Cardona.

Jhingan was excited to have the opportunity to move to HNK Sibenik in the Prva HNL in Croatia.

“I think I am at a stage of my career where I really want to test myself in the highest-level possible and I think this is the perfect platform for me.  As I have said, it has been my desire to play in Europe and I have taken up this challenge upon myself.

“A big thank you to the Head Coach Mario Rosas and the owners and management for giving me the opportunity to come here. I cannot wait to get going and look forward to giving 100 percent at every given opportunity,” said Jhingan.

Founded on December 1, 1932, HNK Sibenik returned to the premier division last season under a new management. The club finished sixth in the league, just two positions below qualification to European competitions. The club is located in Sibenik, the Dalmatian region of Croatia, a beautiful touristic city with breath-taking fortresses protecting the city for centuries and a beautiful Cathedral of St. James, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

“We are very happy that Sandesh is with us. We know he will help us achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves during the season. His stint here will help him grow as a player and person,” said HNK Sibenik coach Mario Rosas. The Spanish coach was all praise for Jhingan’s decision to move out of his comfort zone.

“We hope that he will continue to be an example for Indian footballers. He has demonstrated his ambition and competitiveness by wanting to get out of his comfort zone and show what Indian footballers are capable of,” said Rosas.

Jhingan started his youth career at St. Stephen’s Football Academy in Chandigarh and got a break in the top division with United Sikkim in 2011. Sandesh, as a young 21-year-old footballer first broke into prominence during the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) when he was adjudged the Emerging Player of the League in 2014. A feat that helped him earn a place in the senior India national team making his debut in 2015 against Nepal at the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers.

The defender has two ISL runners-up medals with Kerala Blasters FC where he spent six years and moved to ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020 after missing the previous season due to injury.

(ISL Media)

 

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Sandesh Jhingan’s move to Croatia has opened the door for us: Chinglensana Singh

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Sandesh Jhingan's move to Croatia has opened the door for us: Chinglensana Singh

New Delhi: Sandesh Jhingan and Chinglensana Singh have formed a formidable centre-back pairing for the Blue Tigers in recent matches and with the former set to join Croatian top-division side HNK Sibenik, his defensive partner Chinglensana in an AIFF TV chat on Wednesday (August 18, 2021) spoke about how Sandesh’s move has “opened the door” for him, and all other Indian players.

“What Sandesh-paji has done is amazing and it is really good for us as players. We need to look further and explore Europe and other places to improve ourselves, and the National Team. I am really happy for him. He has opened the door for us. He is a great person and partner to play alongside. He players his heart out and words are not enough to describe playing with him. We share a special bond,” Sana expressed.

“I love the mentality and energy he brings on the field, and it rubs off on everyone in the team. It has struck a chord within me as well and I am learning a lot from him.”

The 24-year-old also talked about the impact that Sandesh’s move can have on young players such as him, and how he would like to follow in his footsteps in the near future.

“Earlier it was Bhaichung-bhai, Sunil-bhai and then Gurpreet-paji, who played abroad. And now it is Sandesh-paji, who is a defender. I am 24 now and this is an eye-opener for me. I will have the privilege to learn from him as his defensive partner whenever he comes back, and what he will bring back to the national team will be huge and immense. I would like to follow in his footsteps and his move will encourage us to look beyond Indian football and reach that level.”

“I am a player who is still developing and I want to keep growing. If I get the opportunity to play abroad, I would sure like to take it. It is a dream for any player to play in Europe. The more players will go, the better it will be for the national team as well,” Chinglensana stated.

The young defender, who is currently in Kolkata as part of the ongoing senior national team training camp, spoke about the shift in the composition of the Indian side, with many youngsters now coming in and the average age of the squad going down significantly.

“The credit goes to the clubs, coaches and the national team coach for spotting young talents and giving them opportunities. The majority of players in the team are U-23, which is good for the development of Indian football. The Hero ISL is really competitive and there is a lot of competition for positions in the camp too, which makes us better.”

“It’s a very good atmosphere here. The mentality has changed with regards to our eating habits, fitness, spending our leisure time etc. We have grown and matured a lot and realize the importance of investing in ourselves. The standards are very high and everyone knows that we have the responsibility of the entire nation on us.”

Chinglensana also discussed the impact head coach Igor Stimac has had on the team during his time and what he has absorbed from the former FIFA World Cup bronze medalist.

“I have learned a lot from coach Stimac in a short time. The time we spend with the national team is limited. But the coach makes sure he interacts with all the players and makes sure all details are followed. He ensures I know what I need to improve and work upon, and I appreciate that he is open and has very good communication with the players. He makes sure we are comfortable and confident before a match by taking the pressure off us and allows us to play our natural game,” he averred.

“As a defender, you know you have to look to keep possession of the ball for your team as much as possible and avoid making clearances if you get the opportunity. It is something I have learned from him, along with other aspects like tackling and decision-making – not to dive into a tackle until you are sure, along with being a leader of the team from the back.”

(AIFF Media)

 

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Sandesh named AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year, Suresh wins Emerging Player award

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Sandesh Jhingan and Suresh Singh Wangjam

New Delhi: Blue Tigers defender Sandesh Jhingan is the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21, with midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam being named the winner of the AIFF Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21 Award. Both the players were voted by the club coaches.

It is the first time that the towering central defender has received the Player of the Year award, having won the Emerging Player of the Year Award in 2014.

He shared his joy at receiving the honour, saying: “Being voted by club coaches of the Hero ISL and the Hero I-League as the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21 is a huge honour for me. I take this Award as a motivation to do better, and inspire others to follow their passion for the sport. A big thank you to AIFF, my family, my team-mates, support staff and all my coaches both at the club level, and at the National level for keeping their belief in me. And a big hug to all those teachers and well- wishers who have stood by me all throughout. This Award comes with a huge responsibility – not to let anyone down.”

Sandesh made his Senior National Team debut in 2015 in Guwahati and has since gone on to make 40 appearances for the Blue Tigers, scoring four goals. He was part of the Indian sides that lifted the Hero Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and played out a memorable draw at the home of the Asian champions Qatar in 2019.

Additionally, he has captained the senior team on five occasions, the most recent being the International Friendly against Oman in Dubai in March this year. He also received the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Government of India in 2020.

20-year-old Suresh Singh Wangjam, who made his Blue Tigers debut earlier this year against Oman, becomes the latest midfielder to win the Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year Award.

He stated: “It’s an honour for me to receive the AIFF Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21 Award. I am extremely glad and thankful. This Award will improve my self-belief and will motivate me to achieve further success in the future.”

A former AIFF Academy cadet, Suresh was part of the Indian side that competed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 and spent two seasons with the AIFF’s developmental side Indian Arrows in the Hero I-League. Known for his never-ending stamina and box-to-box play, the midfielder has notched up five senior national team caps and started all three of India’s games at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Doha in June.

The winners for the awards were chosen on the basis of votes from Hero Indian Super League and Hero I-League club coaches.

“Heartiest congratulations to the Awardees. I hope they will continue moving forward from strength to strength in the future and continue to inspire with their performances and achievements,” AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel said in his statement.

(AIFF Media)

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International Friendlies

Continuous supply of talent defines Indian football: Sandesh Jhingan

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Sandesh Jhingan during a training session in Dubai

Dubai, UAE: Life for Sandesh Jhingan came to a full circle on Thursday (March 25, 2021) when he captained India in the International Friendly against Oman. As the 27-year-old walked out leading the country, six debutants followed him. Post the final whistle, the number of debutants went up from six to 10 – with another four coming on from the bench during the course of the match.

Sandesh’s first match in International Football in 2015 (against Nepal in the play-offs for the Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018) had seen seven debutants, including himself – which was kind of a record at that time.

The morning after, at the breakfast table, Sandesh ponders, “For any nation to grow in any aspect – be it science, sports, football or wherever you need to have a continuous supply of talent. Youth development will ensure that you can get a new Sandesh Jinghan, a Sunil Chhetri, a Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and all others every year, no matter what. The regular supply of talent every single year will ensure that the National Team improves,” he averred.

“Be it Belgium or Germany or England or anyone who is massive on the world football map, everyone follows the same philosophy. It is very good to see how well the boys are trained, and I am positive about the future,” he expresses.

The flow of youth, courtesy of the YDP set-up has, in a way, revolutionised Indian Football in the last few years. Be it the AIFF Academy set-up, the youth national teams or the Indian Arrows, or all academies, the youth of today is better coached, much comfortable on the ball, and so much confident as an individual.

“One thing I can say for this batch is that I need to use the least words for them because they are already so motivated and mentally pumped up for the game. Of course, you need to be calm and intelligent. But you need to have some aggression to win your duels. The boys have it, they have the aggressiveness. And they also have a calmness when they get the ball. My job as a captain was easier,” he expressed.

The players who know me, the people who know me, who have been with me in the dressing room, know that I am a different person off the field. On the field, you need to be extremely aggressive. That’s the way I am. You always need to charge yourself up for the match.

Referring to the match against Oman, Sandesh smiled, mentioning “it seems like yesterday” that he had made his International debut.

“Only the other day, I was calling my mother and telling her that I finally made my International debut. Now I realise it was in 2015. Time flies,” he smiled. “I was kind of seeing myself in the boys during the match. I feel the future is extremely bright with the kind of mindset and talent the new boys possess.”

“It always makes you get up from the bed with a smile every morning when you have something to look forward to and this batch has it. I believe there is a lot to improve, and we can improve. I am just happy being here with this batch.”

(AIFF Media)

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