Jordan 2-1 India: 5 Talking Points

#1 Gurpreet Singh goes from hero to villain

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

There was no better person than Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who could lead the team in the absence of Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhinghan. Gurpreet has all the natural abilities of a leader. He can give instructions to the players from the back and can inspire a teammate with his positive attitude.

It was Gurpreet who played a vital role to keep a clean sheet in India’s previous match against China. In fact, the Punjab-born lad had not conceded a goal in his last four internationals and kept a clean sheet for 378 minutes before the match.

The record was about to break when Jordan got the penalty in the eighth minute. Al Ersan’s shot hit Pritam Kotal’s hand and the referee pointed to the spot. The decision was controversial given that the handball was completely unintentional. However, Gurpreet made a brilliant save by diving on the right side to save Attiah’s spot kick.

But his tenure of being the hero lasted for only 17 minutes. He conceded a goal which no goalkeeper would ever dream of. Jordan goalkeeper Amer Safi kicked the ball which dropped near the Indian box. Gurpreet was much ahead of the goal line and didn’t anticipate something like this would come in his way. The ball got an awkward bounce and even though Gurpreet tried to move back, he could only tip the ball before it went into the net.

Not only the players but the spectators were also bamboozled for quite some time. They were left wondering how a goalkeeper like Gurpreet can concede this kind of goal. After 403 minutes, he finally had to concede due to his own mistake.

The Bengaluru FC player made a couple of good saves in the match after the howler. In spite of his mistake, he should remain as the number one goalkeeper.