Asian Cup 2019: 5 goalkeepers to watch out for

As the Asian Cup is only two days away, football aficionados have already started listing out players they would keep an eye. The list must include strikers and midfielders who get the most attention. But there will be some goalkeepers too, who will try to impress by pulling off magnificent saves.

Many players grabbed attention in the past after showing impressive performances in this tournament. Many would get lucrative offers to play in a different club. But above, the pride of representing their country remains supreme and no doubt, it will drive them the most.

Sportskeeda picks out five such goalkeepers who could play a crucial role under the bar:

#5 Matthew Ryan (Australia)

Matt Ryan may be the most famous and experienced goalkeeper coming into this tournament. After making his international debut 2012, Ryan went all the way to make himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for his country.

Ryan started his career with Blacktown City in 2009 but moved to Central Coast Mariners next year. He started as a substitute keeper but an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury to the then first-choice keeper Jess Vanstrattan opened up a new challenge for Ryan and he embraced it with both hands. Despite his club lost the championship, Ryan won the medal for the best player of the tournament.

The Aussie keeper went on to win many more awards and earned adulation from the fans before moving to Belgium to hone his skills. He joined Belgian top division side Club Brugge. Ryan spent only two seasons but won Pro League’s best goalkeeper twice. He started to get attraction from other European clubs and finally joined La Liga side Valencia in 2015.

After debuting with Valencia in their goal-less draw with Rayo Vallecano, Ryan sustained a knee injury few matches later, which kept him out from football for over two months. After some fine display from his replacement, Ryan lost his place and soon loaned to Racing Genk.

He signed for Brighton and Hove Albion in 2017 and even though the first few matches were hard for him, Ryan gradually developed his performance and regained his composure. He is now the undisputed first-choice keeper for his club and started attracting interest from other top clubs, including Manchester United, who want to replace David de Gea by signing Ryan.

Ryan played all the three matches for his country in World Cup but couldn’t save the ignominy as his country crashed out from the group stage. This was his second World Cup, having appeared in Brazil in 2014.

Being famous for his shot stopping and penalty saving, one has to keep an eye to him in Asian Cup.

#4 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (India)

Starting from scratch, Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has developed himself immensely in the past few years. He has been one of backbone for India in recent times with his impressive performances.

Gurpreet started his professional career with East Bengal and gradually became the first choice goalkeeper for the club. He played two I-League seasons with the club and produced some wonderful performances.

But it was his stint with Norwegian club Stabaek FC that made him what he is now. During his time with Stabaek, Gurpreet became more matured, got to know more technical aspects of his game and became supremely fit. He is the first Indian footballer to play UEFA Europa League match and also the first Indian to play any top division European football league.

He came back to India in 2017 and signed for Bengaluru, by far the best club in India. Gurpreet has been in absolute form this season. Having played every minute of Bengaluru’s 11 matches, Gurpreet conceded just eight goals, the least among all the teams. He kept four clean sheets.

He is also in red-hot form with his India colours. The recent performances against China, Jordan and Oman justify that.

#3 Kim Seung-gyu (South Korea)

Born in Ulsan, Kim started his career at the local K League club Ulsan Hyundai. He played for the U-18 team in the first two years before being promoted to senior level in 2008. Kim was named in the K League Classic best XI. He opted to move for Japanese club Vissel Kobe in 2016, where Spanish legends Andres Iniesta and David Villa play now.

Kim made his international debut against Peru in 2013 and was selected for 2014 World Cup. He sat out for the first two matches but played in the last group match against Belgium and pulled off some scintillating saves. It earned him praise from the supporters.

After the World Cup, he became the first choice goalkeeper for his country and played at the Asian Games. However, he couldn’t get a single match in Russia World Cup. Since Paulo Bento was roped in as the coach, he earned the trust and is going to the Asian Cup being the number one goalkeeper.

Kim is known for his brilliant reflexes. With 37 caps, he is the most experienced goalkeeper for his country. In South Korea’s friendly match against Saudi Arabia, Kim showed his fine vein of form and pulled off a couple of good saves.

#2 Masaaki Higashiguchi (Japan)

Masaaki is one of the most talented goalkeepers that Japan have ever produced. The Osaka-born came through the ranks of youth football before signing his first professional contract with Albirez Niigata. After spending five seasons there, he moved to his old club Gamba Osaka and has been playing there since.

In April last year, Masaaki met with a horrific clash with his teammate Genta Mirua. Both played went for the same ball and Mirua’s head hit Masaaki’s eye. Bloods were oozing out and Masaaki lost some of his teeth, putting his World Cup participation in jeopardy.

However, though he was selected for the World Cup, he didn’t play any matches. But after a change in the helm, which saw Hajime Moriyasu coming in place of Akira Nishino, fortune turned in favour of Masaaki. He played all matches after the World Cup and was an influential factor behind Japan’s win over Uruguay in a friendly.

Masaaki will be hoping to cement his place in the team with his performances in the Asian Cup.

#1 Alireza Beiranvand (Iran)

Alireza saving Cristiano Ronaldo's spot-kick is World Cup

The young goalkeeper from Iran is entering the tournament as one of the most highly-rated player. Alireza Beiranvand shot to fame after saving a penalty of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the World Cup. But even before that, it was his heart-wrenching story that made him more famous.

Being born in a nomad family, Alireza spent his childhood grazing sheep, which was a tradition for his family. Gradually he developed a fondness for football. His family was totally against it. His father wanted him to be a simple worker who can meet the day’s expenses.

Alireza though, had other thoughts in mind. He ran away from his family and went to Tehran in search of a chance in one of biggest clubs of the capital. He had neither money nor a place to sleep. He slept at the door of a club and trained with the boys every day. He had to wash cars work in a dress making factory to meet his demands.

He came through the ranks of age-level football and finally became the first choice goalkeeper of the country in 2015. Last year, he helped Persepolis to reach Asian Champions League final, including a brilliant save in the semi-final against Al Sadd player and Spanish legend Xavi.

But now, he wants to move out of Asia with many European clubs showing interest in Alireza. His Asian Cup performance will depend on his next move.

Edited by Kingshuk Kusari