Gurpreet Sandhu keeps clean sheet in friendly appearance for Norway’s Stabaek

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (right) with Norway’s Indian-origin international Harmeet Singh

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu played 45 minutes for Norway top tier outfit Stabaek in a friendly on Monday and kept a clean sheet, Sportskeeda can reveal.

With Norway’s domestic league, the Tippeligaen, having a break due to the World Cup, Lillestrom, who are sixth in the 16-team league, hosted tenth-placed Stabaek in a friendly at the Arasen Stadion.

The match ended 1-1 but Gurpreet only played the second half and didn’t concede. The score was 1-0 when Gurpreet replaced Borger Thomas at the start of the second period.

Gurpreet produced a solid performance in goal and it was an improved showing from Stabaek overall also because back in May they had lost 5-1 against Lillestrom in the domestic league.

The Indian goalkeeper has been on trials with Stabaek since May 20 and is hopeful of earning a professional contract. The transfer window reopens in July but there are restrictions on non-European players.

Stabaek has three goalkeepers currently with regular custodian Sayouba Mande being at the World Cup with Ivory Coast. Thomas has been starting in Mande’s absence and he is on loan from Norway defending champions Stromsgodset while the other keeper is 19-year-old Simen Omholt Jensen.

The 22-year-old Indian has impressed Stabaek head coach Bob Bradly and his staff and now it remains to be seen whether the former East Bengal keeper is handed a contract or not. If the move to Norway happens, Gurpreet will become the fifth Indian player to ply his trade in Europe.